Squirrels
As you go about your typical day, even if that day lately doesn’t take you much further than your back yard, you probably see at least one squirrel, and more likely, several. It doesn’t matter if you are city dwellers, country folk, or anywhere in between. Squirrels are right there, living alongside us, and they certainly don’t fear us enough to hide from our presence, as most other wild creatures do. They have quirky, engaging, and curious personalities and act as if they not only want to be our neighbors, but they also seem to want to be our friends.
The fact is Americans have a long and interesting relationship with squirrels. History shows that they have an innate ability to entertain and charm us. In bygone eras, squirrels were so well-liked in the United States that they were regarded as pets and were welcomed into our homes. It is easy to understand how that happened, isn’t it? They are cute, funny, smart, and at times, even appear affectionate. It didn’t take us long before we realized that they were also dirty, destructive, hyperactive, and carried diseases that made us sick. They bit and scratched us without provocation, even when “tame.” Nowadays, we may occasionally chuckle at their zany antics, but we correctly view these animals as pests, not pets.
Well, that is, most of us do. If you watch the Florida news, you might know that one of our local pests, the Southern Flying Squirrel, has earned some new international admirers in the Far East. A huge smuggling ring was recently busted that had trapped over 3,000 of these animals just a short distance north of us in Marion County and illegally transported them to South Korea. Now, you might initially guess that they were headed to stewpots, but no, they were being sold as pets! These personable rodents have charmed the common sense right out of South Koreans lately, and they’ve become wildly popular as pets there. We wonder how long it will take them to wise up, because as Floridians, we know the truth. They make terrible pets for many reasons, and their persistent and invasive presence around our homes usually means big trouble for homeowners.
Along with Southern Flying Squirrels, we also have Eastern Gray and Fox here in the area. No matter which of these species you see they are troublemakers. These pesky opportunists are busy little overachievers in the constant mischief they get into. They wreak havoc with our gardens and our birdfeeders, chew through electrical wires, damage cars, destroy our outdoor furniture, and break into our homes, sheds, garages, basements, and attics. They are always up to something, and that something is usually no good. So yes, they may be cute, but the costly, nonstop destruction they do is nothing but a source of aggravation.
Populations are booming here, even despite that smuggling operation. Indeed, they are one of the worst nuisance pests in our area, which is ironic because the state of Florida does not technically list them as “nuisance” animals, and thus, there are strict laws that dictate how they must be handled. Please bear in mind that you cannot legally deal with it yourself. Your wisest option is to engage the services of a licensed professional.
Luckily for North Port, we have our own overachievers in dealing with wildlife issues: Over-A-Cheever Pest Control. For reliable, affordable, and responsible squirrel control, you can count on us. We’re top-rated for a reason—your complete satisfaction is guaranteed! We’ll swiftly and effectively take care of your squirrel issues and help keep them from coming back. Give us a call today, and we’ll show you why we’re the best.