Unlike some animals, squirrels do not hibernate in the winter, and in fact, they’re very active all winter long. When winter storms hit, like they do so often in New Jersey, squirrels take shelter in their nests until the harshest conditions pass. This habit poses its own set of problems to homeowners.
In this article, we’ll talk about what squirrels get up to in the winter and how to safely, effectively, and legally prevent them from destroying your property.
Tree Damage
Squirrels have a tendency to damage trees on your property, and that damage can be very dangerous if it’s not handled immediately. Most squirrels retreat to burrows that are either underground or in hollowed-out trees in the winter. Meanwhile, other squirrels use tree branches to build leaf nests.
During especially cold conditions and in urban locations, squirrels abandoned trees altogether and head to buildings for increased warmth. This commonly causes electrical wiring problems in homes and damage to attics.
Squirrels and Christmas Lights
Apparently, you’re not the only one who enjoys a festive strand of Christmas lights around this time of year. A squirrel in Seattle made headlines for stealing 150 Christmas light bulbs in just a single day. We must admit that it’s pretty impressive how this squirrel chewed through the wires, held each bulb in its mouth, and leaped onto a tree without dropping them. While this is definitely a rare occurrence, it’s certainly something to think about this holiday season!
What New Jersey Law Says about Squirrel Cruelty
There are good ways to keep squirrels off your properties and bad ways to go about it. Also, the local and state government in New Jersey has a thing or two to say about the mistreatment of squirrels as well.
A few years ago, a New Jersey man was arrested for shooting squirrels in his own backyard and then hanging them up on his fence like trophies. He was charged with animal cruelty, a charge that comes with a $1,000 fine and six months in jail. In a separate incident, a New Jersey man was fined $2,500 and charged with animal cruelty for trapping and drowning squirrels on his property. Don’t follow their examples!
In many states, it is illegal to kill ground squirrels outside of designated hunting seasons, so inhumane like these methods are prohibited by law. When you have a squirrel problem, don’t deal with the hassle or risk the legal implications – just call a professional.
Professional Squirrel Control
Squirrel control is best left in the hands of the professionals, namely trained exterminators who understand the risks of dealing with squirrels and are equipped with the tools to exterminate them properly. Precise Pest Control has been keeping Northern New Jersey pest free for over 25 years, so you can trust us for all your squirrel control needs this winter.
Give us a call at 866-971-2847 when you first notice a squirrel problem for a free inspection and to prevent damage before it occurs. We offer all of our customers in Bergen and Passaic county same-day service and guarantee that we’ll be there promptly to take care of your issue with squirrels or any other winter pests.