As a kid, you probably used to love watching squirrels scurry around your backyard. They were so fast and cute with those fat, chubby cheeks, and adorable bushy tails. When you got older, you learned that most adult homeowners don’t like squirrels because they create messes of seeds and shells, and eat garden produce before it’s ripe for the picking. Even so, there are still numerous reasons to appreciate squirrels, from the invasive insects they eat, their ability to help trees grow and spread, and their friendly acrobatics. You may be considering calling a service to assess your need for squirrel removal. Read more about reasons to appreciate squirrels, and contact us if you do have a serious wildlife concern. 

Squirrels Eat Insects in the Garden

On one hand, having squirrels near the garden can be a risk, because they do steal berries and gnaw on early growth from your plants. On the other hand, if you can set up a small scarecrow or statue of a bird such as an owl, it will keep squirrels away from the produce itself, while still keeping them in the area to eat other pests that may threaten your crop. Squirrels especially like to eat caterpillars, mealworms, larvae, winged bugs, grasshoppers, and crickets. Squirrels will first go for nuts and seeds, but insects are also a good source of protein for them. 

Friendly, Intelligent Acrobats 

If you have never spent ten minutes just watching squirrels run, jump, twist and sail from branch to branch, you are missing out on quite a show. They can go from upside-down to right-side-up in no time flat, seemingly always landing on their feet. They also seem to like an audience. If they see you watching from behind a kitchen window or patio door, they will know that they are safe enough to keep showboating for you. Entertainment abounds, especially if you set out a feeder with sunflower seeds. (Hint: this is also a great way to keep them out of your garden. Place a feeder at the opposite end of your property from your garden, and they may not notice it’s even there.)

They Help Trees Propagate and Grow 

Squirrels really do play a big role in the ecosystem. Their favourite foods are nuts and seeds. In the autumn, they will gather as much as they can hold in their cheek pouches, then bury the rest for safekeeping during the winter. They typically choose multiple locations to bury their loot, in case one of their caches gets raided by a rival or washed away by weather. Of course, squirrels do not always remember where they bury all of their seeds, so any buried seed that gets left behind is ready to sprout and germinate. This adds to biodiversity and forest growth over time. 

Squirrel Removal and Wildlife Control in Pickering

If you find that the benefits of having squirrels around do not outweigh the downsides, give us a call or complete our user-friendly online form. Even though squirrels can be annoying, they do not always need to be removed from your property. Rely on our expertise to help you make the right decision. We are more than happy to come to your property, assess the risk that squirrels pose, and create a no-obligation quote for professional services.

Above all, do not attempt to handle or remove squirrels yourself! Their claws and teeth can seriously injure you, not to mention the ticks, fleas, and diseases they may be carrying. Let us help you stay safe and keep your property secure while allowing squirrels to do what they do best.