One of the kinds of rodents that might come in as intruders is the piney squirrel. You might have suspected rodents have entered the attic if you have heard noises from there.
Despite not being harmful, you might want to get rid of them before they make nests and dog holes.
What Is A Piney Squirrel?
Like foxes and abert squirrels, piney squirrels belong to the squirrel family of Sciuridae, and are classified as Tamiasciurus.
There are several locations where these bushy-tailed, thick furred squirrels are primarily found, mainly in the north and west of the country.
It is common for tree squirrels, such as piney squirrels, to have elongated bodies, even though they are smaller than ground squirrels.
A member of the same genus, these animals prefer to spend most of their time in tree nests. Their small size allows them to fit in these nests too.
Other than that, piney squirrels may also be called red squirrels, American red squirrels, or Douglas squirrels.
Pine squirrels prefer a variety of food sources, including plants, greens, and seeds, as well as arthropods and fungi found on trees and grounds.
Due to their territorial nature, these squirrels can fend off any threat or intruder. They are most active during the summer and fall.
Is The Piney Squirrel The Same As The Red Squirrel?
Piney squirrels are often confused with red squirrels. While these two terms are used interchangeably, American red squirrels are the same as piney squirrels.
It is important to note that red squirrels can also refer to the Eurasian red squirrel, which is different from piney squirrels.
As piney squirrels and Douglas and Mern’s squirrels belong to the same genus, the name piney squirrel can be interchanged with the other squirrel names.
Tamiascurus hudsonicus, or piney squirrels, live in dense canopy areas where trees are in greater numbers and the climate is frequently cool. They build nests in tree holes and branches.
These tree squirrels also dig up homes in loose soil, which is why they can be seen roaming around near trees.
What Is The Size Of Piney Squirrels?
One of the smallest species within their group is the piney squirrel. Their petite size also makes them stand out. The piney squirrel is the tiniest tree squirrel in some places.
A piney squirrel usually has a body length of about 7 to 8 inches. Their tails can be at least 4 to 6 inches long. Their bodies are largely made up of their bushy tails.
Their lightweight body structure allows them to sprint on the tiniest branches of trees where they live comfortably, due to their composed body structure.
Are Pine Squirrels Destructive?
Despite their small size, squirrels, particularly piney squirrels, can cause quite a bit of destruction and breakage.
If you think that something as small as a rodent cannot do much damage, you might want to keep that in mind.
Despite the fact that pine squirrels cannot be confirmed to carry diseases that may harm humans, they can physically destroy trees and turf.
In spite of living in tree nests, these squirrels cause damage to landscapes and grounds by digging holes for food storage.
Whenever you let a pine squirrel into your home, you might notice that your cables are gnawed, thanks to their nibbling habits. Pine squirrels like to chew on wires and interrupt feeders.
As these squirrels attack every wall and vent in the area to make space for their livelihood, you can expect noises from the attic.
What Is The Best Way To Get Rid Of Piney Squirrels?
Pine squirrels may be worth getting rid of, not because they hold any immediate danger, but because you can expect these pesky creatures to cause some destruction around.
You can do this by using strong sprays and pruning your trees. The area around your home is also kept clean and free from food debris.
Getting rid of piney squirrels around your home can be done in a few ways.
Get rid of your trees by pruning them:
Because piney squirrels are tree squirrels, they are more drawn to places where they can build their nests to live. Trees around your house are ideal places for piney squirrels to rest.
It is not necessary to prune all trees, but you may want to prune those that hang over your home’s roof.
In one way or another, these branches can make it easier for squirrels to climb the tree and gain access to your home.
Don’t leave out food:
A group of pine squirrels will always roam around your house if you invite them with food, internationally or otherwise even once.
Keep your home clean by cleaning food crumbles and pet food. Fruit-bearing plants and trees should not be hung ripe if they are grown in pots.
Squirrels are kept away by odors:
When squirrels smell something around, they keep away from it. In addition to apple cider vinegar solution, the smell of mint can also repel pine squirrels.
In A Day, How Far Do Piney Squirrels Travel?
It is unlikely that piney squirrels can cover more than 10 miles in a day, but they may cover up to 2 miles if they return to their home territory each day.
If you are considering keeping piney squirrels as pets, you should also know their activities range. They cannot cross five miles at once.
Their ability to travel in a day would, however, be largely determined by where they live, what they eat, and how old they are.
What Do Piney Squirrels Hate The Most?
You may want to note that piney squirrels dislike certain smells and flowers in your backyard and attic. Here are some things they dislike:
Vinegar:
Vinegar would certainly scare off pine squirrels; some people keep bottles of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar in their attics to keep them away.
Oil of peppermint:
Peppermint or mint oil repels pine squirrels just like insect repellents. They cannot stand the overpowering odor of mint or peppermint oil.
Coffee:
Ground coffee is something rodents, mainly pine squirrels, do not like having on their taste buds.
Cinnamon:
A pine squirrel cannot stand the smell and taste of cinnamon, so they stay away from it. If you have ever smelled cinnamon ground or whole, you’d know that cinnamon is a strong spice.
Capsicum:
Capsicums are an unusual vegetable that the pine squirrel species dislikes strongly.
In spite of the fact that piney squirrels are not averse to black pepper or ground chili pepper, they stay far away from spices such as pepper or capsicums.
Is there a spray that keeps squirrels away?
Squirrels can be deterred with the following sprays…
Solution of vinegar and water:
Spraying a solution of white vinegar and water around your backyard will deter squirrels with its acidic solution and pungent smell.
Urine spray used by predators:
As predator urine gives squirrels the impression that their predators are nearby, it would scare them away
Mixture of garlic and onions:
It is possible to keep squirrels away by soaking garlic and onions in water and spraying that water around.
Peppermint solution:
Add peppermint essential oil to water and spray it around. This will scare away any lurking squirrels and get rid of the existing ones.
Conclusions
Reddish brown tree squirrels are often called American red squirrels. They are not harmful, but can be quite destructive if they live on your property. Strong odors can be used to drive them away.