Squirrels - Garden Pests or Free Entertainment?

A SQUIRREL'S LIFE

Courtship season begins in early January. This is a time of much chasing between the sexes and much purring, barking, and other noises from both sexes. Young are born approximately 44 days after mating. The father leaves the scene leaving all responsibility for the young up to the female. Most squirrels give birth to three to four young at a time and may raise two litters a season.

The nest is lined with feathers, moss, shredded bark or other soft materials and located in a hole in a tree or a leaf nest. The first litter is born in mid March and the second litter is born in July. Squirrels are completely hairless with closed eyes and ears, and have oversized heads and large feet at birth. They grow their first teeth by about three to four weeks of age and are fully covered with fur by five weeks. They begin exploring outside the nest after eight weeks. At the end of three months, most are completely independent and the mother may well have another litter.

The life of an adult squirrel is in plain view for all to observe. They seem to spend most of their time playing, sleeping or searching for food. Those fortunate enough to survive the first year of life may live to the ripe old age of three to six years, depending on the species.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF SQUIRRELS

During the early days of our nation, squirrels were frequently found in the stew pot or fry pan. Today, few hunt squirrels primarily for food. A squirrel's current economic value lies in its role as the planter of nuts - some always manage to sprout into new trees. Last year all the sunflowers in my yard had been planted by the squirrels. I allowed them the privilege of the harvest too.

Squirrels may be easily attracted to your yard. They are definitely valuable as entertainers.

Squirrels can pose a serious pest problem. They may become nuisances when they choose to nest in attics, garages, barns or other buildings. Squirrels can cause extensive damage to ornamental plantings, lawns and flowers. They also damage crops such as corn, fruit and nuts. Squirrels cam damage many types of trees by eating the inner bark. Your view of this animal will probably depend on its role in your yard - entertainer or destroyer of your property.

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