Tag Archives: NJ Squirrels

Animal Control, Squirrels

NJ Squirrels: Where Do They Go When It Gets Cold?

The Secret Life of the Squirrel
The Secret Life of the Squirrel

Squirrels are intriguing characters. They’re multi-talented acrobats who can “fly through the air with the greatest of ease.” People are entertained by their antics, enjoy the opportunity to provide peanuts, and generally relax while these whirlwinds of energy bounce from tree limb to tree limb.

Squirrels and Cold Weather

While the spring, summer, and fall are comfortable times with plenty of sunshine, blue skies, and warm temperatures for squirrels to take advantage of, what happens during the winter when the temps drop and snow covers the landscape?

According to information provided by registered nurse and squirrel rehabilitator William Sells, they find their closest friends of the same sex and curl up together and sleep around 18 to 20 hours a day. The community sleep-in provides ample warmth as all of the squirrels in the den are sharing their body warmth. Very smart survival tactic on the part of this inquisitive species.

Squirrels have also built up a 3-year stash of food that they’ll venture out to dine on when there is a break in the cold weather. This is yet another survival tactic for winter cold snaps.

While squirrels are entertaining, they can do damage if they enter your attic and set up winter housekeeping. In this case, you’ll need the services of NJ squirrel removal experts.

At Stern Environmental, we provide humane NJ squirrel removal. Call us and we’ll take care of the rest.

 

Animal Control, News, Pest Control, Squirrels

They’re Cute, But They Can Bite – Seniors Attacked by Squirrels

The Common Squirrel

Everyone is familiar with the common squirrel, and they’re a part of our lives. In fact, it’s difficult to walk out your front door without seeing them. Here at Stern, we provide NJ squirrel removal services for our customers, and what we’ve learned is that it’s actually possible to be afraid of these furry, seemingly harmless little creatures. It’s a condition called sciurophobia. The question is, why would anyone be afraid of squirrels?

Because they bite!

Squirrels Attack Senior Citizens

Several residents at a retirement community were recently attacked by squirrels, and the attacks came as quite a shock. One woman was sitting on a swing when a squirrel jumped down on her head from above. It then chased her into a nearby exercise room. Another woman was bitten about a week later, and she had to be treated at the hospital because she fell and broke her wrist. All residents who were bitten were treated with antibiotics to fend off infection.

Are You at Risk?

In general, squirrels aren’t animals that attack, but it can happen. Squirrels love to make their homes in attacks and the walls in your home. If you have a squirrel problem, NJ squirrel removal is a service that you should consider.

Here at Stern, we can provide you with the professional help you need to rid your home of squirrels. Please contact us and get the help you need!

Animal Control, Disease Carrying Pests, Nuisance Wildlife Control, Squirrels

Watch Out! Did You Know Squirrels May Be Carriers of Leprosy?

Make Sure Squirrels Don't Bite You!
Make Sure Squirrels Don’t Bite You!

Those cute little squirrels running to and fro, carrying and burying nuts, then running to get more, can certainly be entertaining. But when they make their home in your house or attic, well, they aren’t very cute anymore.

Besides being a major nuisance by chewing up woodwork, running around and sounding like a herd of elephants in your ceiling, or gnawing through wires, they can also carry diseases, and one of those is leprosy.

Red Squirrels

So far, only the red squirrel is known to carry the leprosy bacteria, and of those, only red squirrels in Great Britain are infected. There has been no known infection that has occurred when humans have been exposed to squirrels with leprosy, but that doesn’t mean it is beyond the realm of possibility.

The common grey squirrels, which are abundant on our eastern USA coast, don’t harbor the leprosy bacteria, but they can carry other diseases like salmonella, and they can also carry ticks that may be infected with Lyme disease. Regardless of what type of squirrel, it’s always better to keep them from making your house their home.

For questions about squirrels and how they can be controlled, please contact your NJ squirrel exterminator at Stern Environmental Group. We’re pest control experts and and a NJ squirrel exterminator that you can count on. Stern’s has been serving the NYC and New Jersey areas for over 17 years.

Animal Control, News, Nuisance Wildlife Control, Pest Control, Pest Management, Squirrels, Wildlife Control

Rare Squirrel Pack Attack Injures Three Year Old

Rare Squirrel Pack Attack Injures Three Year Old
Rare Squirrel Pack Attack Injures Three Year Old

Squirrels. They’re entertaining when they’re leaping, climbing and jumping from tree to tree. We’re intrigued by their inquisitiveness and expressive faces and think it’s cute the way they hold tidbits of food in their tiny paws and eat so daintily.

Many people set up squirrel feeding stations in their back yards and watch as they enjoy their snacks. Folks may even give them names and talk to them as they approach the feeders feeling as though they’re family pets.

Unfortunately, people tend to forget that squirrels are wild and potentially dangerous. They’re not domestic pets and should never be approached with that assumption. While they may come up close and seem as though they’re not afraid, this can result in trusting a wild critter when you shouldn’t.

Animals in the wild should be treated as such by being responsible, careful, and safe while in their natural habitat. Attempting to pet or hold a squirrel is dangerous and should be avoided. Hand feeding is also something you never want to attempt. It only takes one skittish or aggressive squirrel to leap and attack. Our NYC squirrel removal is your best solution, especially if children are at risk.

When squirrels make themselves at home in your house or yard, you need the professional services of a NYC squirrel removal specialist. At Stern Environmental Group, we can humanely remove unwanted wildlife with just a call to our office.

Animal Control, News, Nuisance Wildlife Control, Pest News, Squirrels, Wildlife Control

Squirrels at Mountain Campsite Test Positive for the Plague

Squirrels At Mountain Campsite Not So Cute Anymore
Squirrels At Mountain Campsite Not So Cute Anymore

Most people think of squirrels as cute and harmless wildlife critters that eat nuts and nest in trees. While this might be true in most cases, sometimes squirrels can be vectors for disease. Such is the case at both the Marion Mountain Campground and the Dark Canyon Campground in San Jacinto, California, where some of the squirrels have tested positive for bubonic plague.

Spread by Fleas

The plague, which was the Middle Ages disease that ravished Europe, is carried by fleas. Infected fleas bite animals or humans, thus spreading the disease. Although plague is easily cured by modern antibiotics, if left untreated it can cause serious complications including death.

No Known East Coast Carriers

On the east coast there are no known reports of plague-infected squirrels. However, as we know from squirrels at the two campgrounds cited above, they can become infected with plague and potentially become a health hazard, especially if they begin to nest in or on your house, home or apartment complex.

Squirrel Removal

Squirrels do not belong in your living space! The best defense against any squirrel habitation where they don’t belong is through professional, humane NYC squirrel removal. For peace of mind, if you have a squirrel habitation problem contact the Stern Environmental Group. We are the NYC pest control and squirrel removal experts in the New York City and New Jersey metropolitan areas with over 17 years experience.