Our Trapping Method
Our squirrel trapping methods reduce the time needed for our squirrel trappers to remove the animals, targets only the animals that are the problem and ensures they're all gone. We build custom trap sets around the animals entry point or burrow entrance for squirrel removal. Using cameras and other methods, we verify all squirrels have been removed before closing up. In the case of a squirrel removal, there can be 2- 6 animals that will need to be removed. Our trapping methods can often remove all of these animals in 1-3 nights, and they will never leave the trapping area.
Most other Companies use bait trapping when squirrel trapping. With bait trapping it is very possibly you will not catch them all if any, and it can take upwards of two weeks to do so if you do. During this time, those animals will still be roaming your property and causing damages to your home.
Squirrel Information
Seven different squirrel species live in Illinois, three of which are ground squirrels. While these species are often found in forests, parks and woodlands, you also might spot them in urban or suburban areas, especially in gardens. Some unusual specimens can be found in Illinois, including eastern gray squirrels who are actually all black or all white, and flying squirrels who can glide long distances between trees.
Southern Flying Squirrel
The smallest of all tree squirrels found in Illinois, southern flying squirrels weigh an average of 2 pounds and measure roughly 9 to 10 inches in length. While they can't technically fly, they have flaps of skin either side of their bodies, extending from their wrists to their ankles, that allow them to glide from tree to tree for more than 250 feet. They have large eyes for their size, with gray-brown fur on their backs and white fur on their bellies.
Fox Squirrel
Weighing in at between 1 3/4 and 2 pounds and measuring 19 1/2 to 22 inches long, fox squirrels are the biggest of all squirrels who live in Illinois. Their fur is buff to orange in color and they have fluffy tails, often developing large ear tufts in the winter. They're usually found in either deciduous or mixed forests, where they forage for foods such as nuts, seeds, insects, leaves and eggs.
Eastern Gray Squirrel
As their name suggests, eastern gray squirrels are usually gray in color. However, both all black -- or melanistic -- and all white -- or albinistic -- varieties can be found quite commonly in some parts of Illinois, as a result of naturally occurring genetic mutations. They usually weigh round 1 1/4 pounds and measure from 17 1/4 to 18 1/4 inches in length.
Red Squirrel
Red squirrels are only found in the northeastern counties of Illinois. Although these arboreal creatures like to live in coniferous, deciduous and mixed forests, they can be found in both urban and suburban areas. On average they weigh just two-fifths of a pound and measure between 11 1/2 and 13 1/2 inches long. Their coats are a distinctive deep red in color.
Ground Squirrels
Three species of ground squirrel make their homes in Illinois: eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus), thirteen-lined ground squirrels (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus) and Franklin's ground squirrels (S. franklinii). Eastern chipmunks are the smallest of Illinois' ground squirrels, measuring roughly 8 to 12 inches in length and weighing 2 to 4 ounces. Much bigger than eastern chipmunks, thirteen-lined ground squirrels are 8 to 9 ounces at their peak weight. Larger still, Franklin's ground squirrels weigh 1 to 1 1/2 pounds before they go into hibernation.
Habitat
All four tree squirrel species are found in wooded areas. Fox squirrels inhabit the forest edge or wooded areas with little understory. Gray squirrels inhabit mature forests with understory. Fox and gray squirrels are common in towns and cities, especially in parks and residential neighborhoods. Red squirrels prefer dense stands of pine trees but also inhabit mixed forests or oak, maple, hickory hardwood forests with dense understory. Southern flying squirrels inhabit hardwood forests with mature trees and nearby water sources.
Distribution and Abundance
Fox squirrels are common throughout Illinois, even in urban areas. Loss of mature, wooded habitat has decreased the population of gray squirrel in Illinois, although they remain common throughout the state and are locally abundant in urban areas. Red squirrels are found only in the northeastern part of the state, particularly along the Kankakee and Iroquois Rivers. Southern flying squirrels are found throughout Illinois but are most abundant in southern Illinois.
Reproduction
Each squirrel species has two breeding seasons, one in winter (January and February) and the other in late spring (March) or early summer (July). Female fox and gray squirrels that are at least two years old have two litters per year, younger females have only one litter per year. Average litter size is two to four (southern flying squirrels may have litters of up to seven young), with young weaned around eight weeks of age.
Food
Fox, gray, and southern flying squirrels have similar food requirements. In fall and winter, acorns, hickory nuts, osage orange fruit and walnuts are important food sources. In winter and early spring, squirrels may eat tree buds or bark if other food is scarce. Both fox and gray squirrels cache (store) food for later use by burying it. Fruits, berries, and corn are important summer food sources. Squirrels will also eat insects and other animal matter. Flying squirrels will eat bird eggs or nestlings, and scavenge for other animal matter when it is available. Red squirrels depend heavily on coniferous trees for buds and seeds from cones, but otherwise eat a diet similar to that of the other tree squirrels. They cache their food in small holes or cracks in the bark of trees.
Behavior
Fox, gray, and red squirrels are diurnal meaning that they are active during the day. Southern flying squirrels are nocturnal and are active at night. All tree squirrels are active year round, although they will take shelter in their nests during extreme cold weather. Fox and red squirrels spend more time on the ground than gray squirrels. Due to the extra skin on their sides southern flying squirrels are able to glide from tree to tree, but are not able to fly as their name suggests. All tree squirrels are solitary; however, since they are not territorial many may be seen in close proximity to each other, particularly if there is a good supply of food. The young often stay near the female until the next litter is born. Nests in tree cavities are preferred, but when cavities are not available squirrels will build nests of leaves in trees.
Longevity
Like most rodents, tree squirrels have a relatively short lifespan. Most live only a year or two. Hawks, owls, foxes and coyotes all depend on squirrels as a food source.
Damage Prevention and Control Measures
Squirrels are excellent climbers and jumpers. They are well known as unwelcome guests at birdfeeders. Besides consuming seed, they may damage bird and wildlife feeders by chewing on them. They may also occasionally damage lawns when caching food for the winter. They will also sometimes damage garden plants, particularly corn. While inconvenient, these behaviors can usually be handled by modifying the habitat or excluding the squirrels. In urban areas, squirrels may cause substantial property damage when they chew through siding or enlarge openings to gain access to attics. Once inside a building they may do further damage if they chew on insulation or electric wiring. Squirrels may also cause power outages when they short out transformers.
Frightening DevicesPlacing a light (mechanics or strobe) or radio in the attic may temporarily discourage squirrels from using the area, but once they become accustomed to the device it will no longer be effective.
Public Health ConcernsTree squirrels in Illinois are not considered to be a public health concern. They can be carriers of various parasites, but none have serious public health implications.
It is common to see squirrels with patches of fur missing. Hair loss in squirrels can be caused by mange or fungal disease. Mange is a disease caused by microscopic mites that burrow under the skin. The squirrel mange mite (Notoedres sp.) has been reported in both fox and gray squirrels. There have been no reports of this type of mange being transmitted to humans or domestic pets. Loss of hair, and dark, thickened skin are symptoms of mange in squirrels. Mange can be spread by direct contact between squirrels. Adult squirrels in good condition typically survive mild infestations, but severe infestations can be fatal. Additionally, infected squirrels with a lot of hair loss may die of exposure during the winter. Another possible cause of hair loss in squirrels is fungal disease. A variety of fungal diseases affect squirrels. The fur of infected squirrels will break off at the skin leaving patches of skin that appear to be bare. Otherwise healthy squirrels will recover from fungal infections.
Our squirrel trapping methods reduce the time needed for our squirrel trappers to remove the animals, targets only the animals that are the problem and ensures they're all gone. We build custom trap sets around the animals entry point or burrow entrance for squirrel removal. Using cameras and other methods, we verify all squirrels have been removed before closing up. In the case of a squirrel removal, there can be 2- 6 animals that will need to be removed. Our trapping methods can often remove all of these animals in 1-3 nights, and they will never leave the trapping area.
Most other Companies use bait trapping when squirrel trapping. With bait trapping it is very possibly you will not catch them all if any, and it can take upwards of two weeks to do so if you do. During this time, those animals will still be roaming your property and causing damages to your home.
Squirrel Information
Seven different squirrel species live in Illinois, three of which are ground squirrels. While these species are often found in forests, parks and woodlands, you also might spot them in urban or suburban areas, especially in gardens. Some unusual specimens can be found in Illinois, including eastern gray squirrels who are actually all black or all white, and flying squirrels who can glide long distances between trees.
Southern Flying Squirrel
The smallest of all tree squirrels found in Illinois, southern flying squirrels weigh an average of 2 pounds and measure roughly 9 to 10 inches in length. While they can't technically fly, they have flaps of skin either side of their bodies, extending from their wrists to their ankles, that allow them to glide from tree to tree for more than 250 feet. They have large eyes for their size, with gray-brown fur on their backs and white fur on their bellies.
Fox Squirrel
Weighing in at between 1 3/4 and 2 pounds and measuring 19 1/2 to 22 inches long, fox squirrels are the biggest of all squirrels who live in Illinois. Their fur is buff to orange in color and they have fluffy tails, often developing large ear tufts in the winter. They're usually found in either deciduous or mixed forests, where they forage for foods such as nuts, seeds, insects, leaves and eggs.
Eastern Gray Squirrel
As their name suggests, eastern gray squirrels are usually gray in color. However, both all black -- or melanistic -- and all white -- or albinistic -- varieties can be found quite commonly in some parts of Illinois, as a result of naturally occurring genetic mutations. They usually weigh round 1 1/4 pounds and measure from 17 1/4 to 18 1/4 inches in length.
Red Squirrel
Red squirrels are only found in the northeastern counties of Illinois. Although these arboreal creatures like to live in coniferous, deciduous and mixed forests, they can be found in both urban and suburban areas. On average they weigh just two-fifths of a pound and measure between 11 1/2 and 13 1/2 inches long. Their coats are a distinctive deep red in color.
Ground Squirrels
Three species of ground squirrel make their homes in Illinois: eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus), thirteen-lined ground squirrels (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus) and Franklin's ground squirrels (S. franklinii). Eastern chipmunks are the smallest of Illinois' ground squirrels, measuring roughly 8 to 12 inches in length and weighing 2 to 4 ounces. Much bigger than eastern chipmunks, thirteen-lined ground squirrels are 8 to 9 ounces at their peak weight. Larger still, Franklin's ground squirrels weigh 1 to 1 1/2 pounds before they go into hibernation.
Habitat
All four tree squirrel species are found in wooded areas. Fox squirrels inhabit the forest edge or wooded areas with little understory. Gray squirrels inhabit mature forests with understory. Fox and gray squirrels are common in towns and cities, especially in parks and residential neighborhoods. Red squirrels prefer dense stands of pine trees but also inhabit mixed forests or oak, maple, hickory hardwood forests with dense understory. Southern flying squirrels inhabit hardwood forests with mature trees and nearby water sources.
Distribution and Abundance
Fox squirrels are common throughout Illinois, even in urban areas. Loss of mature, wooded habitat has decreased the population of gray squirrel in Illinois, although they remain common throughout the state and are locally abundant in urban areas. Red squirrels are found only in the northeastern part of the state, particularly along the Kankakee and Iroquois Rivers. Southern flying squirrels are found throughout Illinois but are most abundant in southern Illinois.
Reproduction
Each squirrel species has two breeding seasons, one in winter (January and February) and the other in late spring (March) or early summer (July). Female fox and gray squirrels that are at least two years old have two litters per year, younger females have only one litter per year. Average litter size is two to four (southern flying squirrels may have litters of up to seven young), with young weaned around eight weeks of age.
Food
Fox, gray, and southern flying squirrels have similar food requirements. In fall and winter, acorns, hickory nuts, osage orange fruit and walnuts are important food sources. In winter and early spring, squirrels may eat tree buds or bark if other food is scarce. Both fox and gray squirrels cache (store) food for later use by burying it. Fruits, berries, and corn are important summer food sources. Squirrels will also eat insects and other animal matter. Flying squirrels will eat bird eggs or nestlings, and scavenge for other animal matter when it is available. Red squirrels depend heavily on coniferous trees for buds and seeds from cones, but otherwise eat a diet similar to that of the other tree squirrels. They cache their food in small holes or cracks in the bark of trees.
Behavior
Fox, gray, and red squirrels are diurnal meaning that they are active during the day. Southern flying squirrels are nocturnal and are active at night. All tree squirrels are active year round, although they will take shelter in their nests during extreme cold weather. Fox and red squirrels spend more time on the ground than gray squirrels. Due to the extra skin on their sides southern flying squirrels are able to glide from tree to tree, but are not able to fly as their name suggests. All tree squirrels are solitary; however, since they are not territorial many may be seen in close proximity to each other, particularly if there is a good supply of food. The young often stay near the female until the next litter is born. Nests in tree cavities are preferred, but when cavities are not available squirrels will build nests of leaves in trees.
Longevity
Like most rodents, tree squirrels have a relatively short lifespan. Most live only a year or two. Hawks, owls, foxes and coyotes all depend on squirrels as a food source.
Damage Prevention and Control Measures
Squirrels are excellent climbers and jumpers. They are well known as unwelcome guests at birdfeeders. Besides consuming seed, they may damage bird and wildlife feeders by chewing on them. They may also occasionally damage lawns when caching food for the winter. They will also sometimes damage garden plants, particularly corn. While inconvenient, these behaviors can usually be handled by modifying the habitat or excluding the squirrels. In urban areas, squirrels may cause substantial property damage when they chew through siding or enlarge openings to gain access to attics. Once inside a building they may do further damage if they chew on insulation or electric wiring. Squirrels may also cause power outages when they short out transformers.
Frightening DevicesPlacing a light (mechanics or strobe) or radio in the attic may temporarily discourage squirrels from using the area, but once they become accustomed to the device it will no longer be effective.
Public Health ConcernsTree squirrels in Illinois are not considered to be a public health concern. They can be carriers of various parasites, but none have serious public health implications.
It is common to see squirrels with patches of fur missing. Hair loss in squirrels can be caused by mange or fungal disease. Mange is a disease caused by microscopic mites that burrow under the skin. The squirrel mange mite (Notoedres sp.) has been reported in both fox and gray squirrels. There have been no reports of this type of mange being transmitted to humans or domestic pets. Loss of hair, and dark, thickened skin are symptoms of mange in squirrels. Mange can be spread by direct contact between squirrels. Adult squirrels in good condition typically survive mild infestations, but severe infestations can be fatal. Additionally, infected squirrels with a lot of hair loss may die of exposure during the winter. Another possible cause of hair loss in squirrels is fungal disease. A variety of fungal diseases affect squirrels. The fur of infected squirrels will break off at the skin leaving patches of skin that appear to be bare. Otherwise healthy squirrels will recover from fungal infections.