Squirrels

Understanding Squirrels in the Coachella Valley

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Squirrels are cute in the wild, but in your home they are a major pest. They frequently carry parasites and serious disease through your home and in their bites, and can cause property damage as well.

If you’ve noticed signs of a squirrel living in your Coachella Valley home or workplace, contact Rudy’s Termite & Pest Control. Some ground squirrels are protected in Southern California, so it’s important to call experts to help. We’ll thoroughly inspect your property, remove squirrels, and ensure they don’t return.

Physical description

Red ground squirrels and round tail ground squirrels are the only species found in the Coachella Valley.

Ground squirrels grow to between 9–11 inches in length, with a tail that’s about 5–9 inches long. They’re brownish gray in color, with mottled brown and grey fur in their upper bodies. Western gray squirrels are gray and white. Eastern gray and eastern fox squirrels are more orangey-brown in color, with some eastern gray squirrels appearing black.

Habitat

Ground squirrels prefer open, grassy spaces, and make their homes in underground burrows. They can climb trees, but if they run from a threat, they’ll always run to their underground burrows. 

Squirrels are most active during the day, and in the Coachella Valley they’re also active all year-round.

Life cycle

The gestational period of a squirrel is approximately 44 days, and a female squirrel can give birth to two litters per year, each containing between three to four young. Baby squirrels, called kits, are born hairless. Kits are fully weaned in approximately two months, and become adults in just nine months.

Squirrels can live for up to 15 years in the wild, but due to factors such as predators, they typically live for about five years.

Rudy’s Termite & Pest Control are licensed Coachella Valley squirrel removal experts. Contact us today and let us solve the issue effectively.

Interaction with humans

Squirrels are not typically aggressive to humans. However, they can carry parasites and disease. Their droppings can also carry salmonella and leptospirosis.

Potential dangers or risks

Along with carrying parasites and disease, squirrels can do damage to your home. Because a squirrel’s teeth never stop growing, they must keep chewing. This means they can quickly chew through your home’s wires, pipes, ducts, and wood beams. In particular, squirrels chewing on electrical wires can pose a serious fire hazard.

Because squirrels can nest in attics and chimneys, they may get stuck and die inside these spaces. They can also bring rubbish into your home to build their nests – which may contain pests themselves such as ticks or fleas.

At Rudy’s Termite & Pest Control, we have experience in humane squirrel removal in the Coachella Valley. Give us a call today!