Squirrel Life Cycle

The average lifespan of a squirrel is about five to six years. However, just like other critters, that life cycle can vary drastically based on several factors. Between their vulnerability to predators and high mortality rates for squirrels around a year old or younger, many factors can shorten their lifespan. While they can live up to 15 years in the wild, the squirrel’s life cycle is rarely that lengthy.

Squirrels are prolific breeders, with females potentially giving birth to up to six pups per litter twice a year. Unfortunately, this can quickly cause a minor squirrel infestation to spiral into a much larger one. If you’re dealing with a squirrel infestation, it’s important to act fast. Contact the experts at Critter Control to safely and humanely remove the nuisance squirrels and repair any damage to your property.

The methods we’ll use to address the issue can vary, but we always use humane approaches designed to safely remove the squirrels while protecting your family.

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What Is the Squirrel Population in the U.S.?

There’s no shortage of squirrels in the United States. You can find millions of these little creatures in forests, urban parks, and even in suburban backyards in all 50 states. Of course, each region is home to different squirrel species.

The most common types of squirrels in the U.S. include:

• Eastern Gray Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) are found in deciduous forests and urban areas of the eastern and midwestern U.S. These squirrels, featuring gray fur and a white underbelly, are incredibly adaptable, thriving in settings ranging from urban gardens to remote forests.
• American Red Squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) live predominantly in coniferous forests throughout the northern U.S. and Canada. They’re known for their reddish fur, white underparts, noisy chatter, and territorial nature.
• Fox Squirrels (Sciurus niger) are common in the southern and central U.S., especially in oak and pine forests. They’re larger than many other species and have a rusty orange coat and a bushy tail. They’re not quite as social as other species but are incredibly adaptive to various habitats.
• Ground Squirrels (Spermophilus spp.) live mostly in the open grasslands and meadows across the U.S. Unlike tree squirrels, this species burrows and lives underground. They’re brown or tan, allowing them to blend in with the open prairie grasses, and are known for their digging behaviors.

When Do Squirrels Give Birth?

A female squirrel can have two litters each year, usually in the late winter and midsummer. They have a short gestation period of about two months. Each litter usually contains between two and four pups. A litter can contain up to eight pups, but smaller litters are more common.

Each tiny pup is born completely hairless, weighing in at just 0.5 to 0.65 ounces. The mother squirrel weans the pups at the two-month mark, and seven months later, at the nine-month mark in the squirrel life cycle, her babies become mature adults.

How Long Do Squirrels Typically Live?

A squirrel usually lives for five to six years. Sometimes, they can live up to 15 years or more, but it depends entirely on factors specific to the critter, including their species.

The life span of a squirrel can vary dramatically based on the species:

• Eastern Gray Squirrel: 44-day gestation period, life expectancy of 6–12 years in the wild or up to 20 years in captivity
• American Red Squirrel: 38-day gestation period, life expectancy of 5–10 years in the wild
• Fox Squirrel: 44-day gestation period, life expectancy of 8–18 years, although anything past 12 years is uncommon in the wild
• Ground Squirrel: 30-day gestation period, life expectancy of 3–6 years in the wild

How Long Can Squirrels Survive on Your Property?

Squirrels can live for years on your property, especially if they find a safe, sheltered place to build their homes. These furry little critters thrive in areas where their nests are protected from Mother Nature’s fury, like attics or walls. While wild squirrels often have shorter lifespans than their captive counterparts, they can live longer than usual when they have access to your home (thanks to the protection from natural dangers).

Squirrels in Attics

Your attic is more than the perfect storage place—in a squirrel’s eyes, it’s a premium listing on the real estate market. The insulation, warmth, and safety from predators make these spots a coveted place for squirrels to breed and nest. Unfortunately, having squirrels in your attic isn’t ideal. They can chew through wires, creating fire hazards and damaging the structural integrity of your home.

Squirrels in Walls

Wall cavities are another prime spot. Squirrels in wall cavities get to enjoy a cozy, dry, and safe nesting place, so they’ll happily gnaw through wood, drywall, electrical wires, and anything else standing in their way. That process is usually noisy and results in significant damage, which can require extensive (and expensive) repairs.

Squirrels in Yards or Gardens

Most squirrels prefer trees and other lofty hiding places for their nests, so yards and gardens aren’t high in the rodent real estate market. However, that doesn’t mean they won’t visit your yard or garden to hunt for food. Squirrels in yards are known for digging up plants and flower bulbs, wreaking havoc on your carefully tended garden in search of food.

Squirrels in Chimneys

While a soot-filled chimney might not sound particularly cozy to you or me, it’s an appealing, warm, and (presumably) safe spot for squirrels hunting for a home. Unfortunately, a squirrel’s nesting materials aren’t conducive to a chimney setting. The flammable collection of twigs, leaves, moss, and similar materials can block proper ventilation through your chimney. It can become a fire hazard, which is a danger to you and your family, especially if you regularly use your fireplace and chimney during the cooler months.

Squirrels in Gutters

Squirrels in the gutter are another common problem. Gutters aren’t known for being dry, but they do offer some shelter, so squirrels will happily build their nests here. Unfortunately for you, that translates to drainage issues and, therefore, water damage. Given that squirrels have a penchant for gnawing on fascia boards and shingles, the damage resulting from their stay can be extensive.

How to Deal With a Squirrel Infestation

These cute, fluffy rodents might seem harmless. Regrettably, they’re not—they can wreak all sorts of havoc on your property if left unchecked. So, if you suspect you might have a squirrel infestation, it’s important to chat with a pest control pro. DIY methods can be ineffective and dangerous depending on the location of the infestation, so it’s best to go the professional route.

Pest control pros use safe, humane squirrel removal methods, such as live traps, exclusion techniques, and sealing entry points, to rid your home of the problem. When you go this route, you don’t have to stress over the safety of the squirrels or their return.

Contact Critter Control for Squirrel Removal

If you’re dealing with a squirrel problem, contact our experts at Critter Control. We’re equipped with years of expertise and tools to help you evict your unwanted houseguests safely and effectively. Don’t wait—contact us today or find the office closest to you!