You don’t want to share your home with squirrels, but if you have a lot of trees on your property, you probably see the creatures frolic in your yard early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Squirrels have a symbiotic relationship with oak trees, so having the creatures around is important for the overall health of your trees. Here’s what you need to know about the relationship between oak trees and squirrels.

Why Do Squirrels Live in Oak Trees?

Food and shelter are two of the most important elements squirrels need to survive. Oak trees offer both of these things. While squirrels eat a variety of foods, acorns are often the staple of their diet. Acorns have a lot of nutrients, and they offer a calorie-rich buffet for squirrels to dine on. When acorns are abundant, squirrels are more likely to take up residence in the area.

Oak trees also provide plenty of shelters for squirrels to build nests. The bark of the trees gives the creatures materials to use for building nests, in the leafy foliage shields them from predators. In places where there are lots of trees, intertwining branches provide squirrels with easy travel routes so they can move around without having to touch the ground and make themselves vulnerable to predators.

Why Do Squirrels Love Acorns?

Squirrels love acorns because they are a nutrient-dense food. Trees only produce enough acorns to satisfy the number of acorn-eating creatures in the area, which highlights the symbiotic relationship between oak trees and animals. Squirrels, in particular, are essential for the growth of new oak trees. They are notorious for hiding food for the winter, when they forget about acorns they have buried in the ground, the nuts eventually bloom into new trees.

How Do Squirrels Help Oak Trees?

Oak trees provide squirrels with an easy source of food in numerous places to shelter. In the same way, squirrels help trees reproduce by encouraging them to produce more acorns each year. The more acorns a tree produces, the more likely it is that new trees will grow in the future. It’s important to understand that squirrels can sometimes damage trees by stripping away the bark to create nests, but they are still an essential part of the ecosystem for stimulating tree growth.

How Can You Control the Squirrel Population On Your Property?

Squirrels need the presence of trees to thrive. Not only do oak trees provide squirrels with acorns to eat, but they also give the animals plenty of places to nest and hide. Intertwining branches create convenient routes of travel for squirrels, so if you have a lot of trees on your property, you may end up with an entire family of squirrels. When the population becomes too high for your property to handle, you may need to remove some of the creatures from your yard to ensure the health of the squirrels and your trees. Contacting a professional such as the team at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control is the best way to control the squirrel population on your property.

Schedule an Appointment for Squirrel Removal

As long as squirrels live in the trees on your property and do not enter your house, they are beneficial to have around. However, when the population booms and you need squirrel removal in Kitchener, you must call a professional quickly for help. Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control knows how to keep squirrels away from your house. We specialize in humane wildlife control services so you can feel comfortable with how the animals are treated upon removal. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.