Mating season a time to squirrel proof homes

While most wildlife are hunkered down for winter, the bushy-tailed tree climbers appear to be playing -- perhaps to entertain the relatively hairless humans trapped indoors by the weather.

For tree squirrels, however, chasing each other now is serious business. January-February is a major mating season for the fox squirrel, the largest and most widespread tree-dwelling species found in Kansas. It's also mating season for the smaller gray squirrels that live in the eastern one-third of the state. February-March is mating season for the nocturnal flying squirrels in southeast Kansas.

So, 2008's baby squirrels will start arriving in about six weeks with an average litter size of three. Followed by the squirrels second mating season in May- June.

From the squirrels' point of view, babies on the way means three driving needs: food, an open water source and a protected nest.

"How big of a pest they'll be will depend on how easy those three things are to get," said Charlie Lee, wildlife specialist with Kansas State University Research and Extension. "That can work both ways. If food is scarce, squirrels are quite capable of stripping the bark from ornamental trees and shrubs. If food is laid out like a buffet, you can expect them to do everything they can to get to your bird feeder."

Where squirrels progress from a nuisance to a danger is the point at which they enter structures. All that's required is rodent-sized access into a building.

They can get to the roof along lines, wires or jumping -- up to 5 or 6 feet -- from nearby tree. They can damage siding, but usually get into buildings through some kind of hole that isn't screened.

Once inside, squirrels often damage insulation and wiring. They also may damage household contents. If efforts to get rid of them make them feel trapped or chased, the havoc they wreak gets worse.

Prevention of entering is much better than having to remove the little creatures. Excluding squirrels must include periodic checks to see that everything on a building's shell is tight. If not, owners must take action -- first by making sure no squirrels will be trapped inside.

"In most cases, you should just open doors or windows and let the squirrel find its way out," he said. "You may need professional help if one's in your chimney. It can't get out on its own, up or down."

If that doesn't work, the next approach is to bait a 9-by-9-by-24-inch "live" or cage trap with peanut butter or nut meats. Then, once the squirrel is trapped, release it outdoors.

"You can't hunt or otherwise trap Kansas fox or gray squirrels except between June 1 and Dec. 31. And that's only if local ordinances allow it -- although some exemptions may apply if the animals are inside buildings, causing damage," Lee said. "Flying squirrels are protected year-round."

Squirrel proofing a home requires several steps: Use half-inch hardware cloth to cover the insides of attic vents and similar openings. Repair rotting boards along soffits or behind eave troughs. Replace broken windows. Cap chimneys, and fill the openings for utility wires and pipes.

Some people supply squirrels with shelled or ear corn, to keep them away from a bird feeder. In the same way, supplying nesting boxes can help keep squirrels away from human habitations.

"Of course, both practices may also serve to increase the number of squirrels trying to live in the area and thus increase your potential for damage," he added.

Homeowners can get more information about controlling squirrel damage year-round on the Web at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/wldlf2/L863.pdf