Squirrels are everywhere, from the busiest city block to the most remote countryside, and their activities have been entertaining us and frustrating us for centuries. Our relationship with this quirky, clever, and aggravating animal has a fascinating history that may surprise you. It’s a love story with a not-so-happy ending.
Back in the 1700s, they were not considered pests. They were beloved pets. We kept them in our homes, coddled them, trained them, and took them for walks on leashes. Benjamin Franklin even wrote a eulogy for one in 1722. At one point, they were as common as kittens. President Harding famously owned a pet squirrel named Pete, who used to attend meetings with him. They were so admired that they were lauded as an ambassador species to help teach our children kindness. And believe it or not, the populations used to be much smaller; they were intentionally introduced to parks and cities to “create pockets of rural peace and calm,” according to historian Etienne Benson.
But eventually, the love affair ended. By the early 20th century, our infatuation with them began to wane, and by the mid-1900s, it was over. Reality had set in, and we finally saw them for what they indeed are—pests, not pets. Despite our attempts to domesticate them, they remained wild animals. They were messy, destructive, and unsanitary. Their behavior was unpredictable and dangerous. Even tame, hand-raised squirrels would sometimes bite. Furthermore, as we became more knowledgeable about diseases, we realized that they carry various diseases, pathogens, and parasites that make us sick. There is even a scientific study linking the handling of them to leprosy.
Nowadays, with squirrels out of the front parlor and back in the front yard, they continue to cause a multitude of problems. They are notorious for chewing through wires. In fact, they are responsible for more power outages in the U.S. than the weather. Much to the frustration of homeowners, they do extensive damage to the structures of our houses. They are continually breaking in, getting into attics, sheds, chimneys, crawlspaces, garages, and under porches. They dig up our lawns, flowerbeds, shrubbery, and wreak havoc with our gardens. They will pick your fruit trees clean and pilfer your veggies. Oh, and that beautiful heirloom tomato slowing ripening out on your patio? You can bet you are not the only one keeping an eye on it. Another thing about them—they are smart, furry foodies. Squirrels will typically wait for your fruits and vegetables to ripen to peak flavor before they steal it.
In Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties, the three most common species are the Western Gray, the Eastern Gray, and the Eastern Fox. They are easy to tell apart: Western Grays have no brown in their fur, Eastern Grays have just a touch of brown on their faces, and the Eastern Fox has brown on its face and body. But no matter which species is the culprit, they are big trouble for homeowners.
If you are experiencing an issue with squirrels, there’s another thing you should know. State laws dictate how they must be handled, and special permits are required. It would help if you never attempted to deal with this problem on your own. Your wisest course of action is to enlist the help of a professional pest control company.
For all your pest control needs, you can rely on the services of 101 Gopher & Pest Control. As the leading pest control company in the area for over 20 years, nobody does it better. As our name implies, we are experts at dealing with rodents, including those pesky squirrels. Give us a call today.
