If a small, reddish squirrel has been scolding you from a tree or racing across the roof of your Clifton home, you may be looking at a red squirrel. Most people are used to gray squirrels. Red squirrels are smaller, louder and more territorial, and they're just as capable of finding their way into an attic or shed. Below, we'll cover how to identify red squirrels, why they come close to homes, the signs that one has moved inside and how to keep them out. If you think squirrels are already in your attic or walls, our squirrel removal service includes finding and sealing the way they're getting in.
How To Identify A Red Squirrel
Red squirrels are easy to tell apart from gray squirrels once you know what to look for:
- Size. Noticeably smaller than a gray squirrel.
- Color. Rusty red to reddish-brown on the back, with a white or cream belly.
- Eyes. A white ring around each eye.
- Tail. Bushy and reddish, often slightly less full than a gray squirrel's.
- Voice. A loud, fast, chattering call, often repeated when people or other animals come near.
Some gray squirrels have a reddish tint, so size and the eye ring are the most reliable clues. To compare other squirrels you might see around your home, read our guide to the flying squirrel vs. gray squirrel.
Why Red Squirrels Come Close To Homes
Red squirrels live in parts of New Jersey, often where there are evergreen trees, though they also use mixed woods and wooded yards. They eat seeds from cones, nuts, buds, fungi and sometimes insects and bird eggs. Around homes, they're drawn by:
- Bird feeders. An easy, steady supply of seed.
- Trees near the house. Branches touching or hanging over the roof give them a path to the roofline.
- Shelter. Attics, wall voids, sheds, garages and woodpiles offer protected spots for nests and food stores.
Red squirrels are known for storing food in caches. Piles of cone scales and husks, called middens, often build up at the base of trees or on stumps where they feed.
Should You Be Worried?
Outdoors, red squirrels are mostly a noisy part of the neighborhood. The concern starts when they move inside. Like other squirrels, they need to chew to keep their teeth worn down, and that can lead to:
- Chewed wires. Gnawing on electrical wiring in attics and walls is a fire risk.
- Damaged insulation. Nesting and food storage can compress, soil or tear up insulation.
- Chewed wood and vents. Fascia, soffits, vent covers and trim can be damaged as they enlarge openings.
- Stored food in your home. They may stash seeds and nuts in attics, garages and even cars.
- Droppings and odor. Nesting areas can become messy over time.
Don't try to handle a squirrel. If anyone is bitten or scratched, see a doctor.
Signs A Red Squirrel Is Inside
- Daytime noises. Scurrying, scratching or rolling sounds in the attic or walls, especially in the morning and late afternoon. Squirrels are active during the day, unlike mice and rats.
- Chewed openings. Gaps along the roofline, soffits, vents or fascia, often with gnaw marks around the edges.
- Debris piles. Cone scales, seed husks or nutshells in the attic, garage or shed.
- Squirrels on the roof. Regular trips to the same spot on the roofline.
- Nest material. Shredded leaves, bark and insulation bunched into a ball.
How To Keep Red Squirrels Out
- Trim tree branches. Cut back limbs that touch or overhang the roof.
- Manage bird feeders. Use squirrel-resistant feeders, place them away from the house and clean up spilled seed.
- Inspect your roofline. Check soffits, vents, chimneys and fascia for gaps or damage, especially in fall.
- Close up sheds and garages. Keep doors closed and repair openings.
- Store food securely. Keep birdseed, pet food and grass seed in metal containers with tight lids.
Sealing an opening while a squirrel is still inside, or while young are in a nest, can trap animals in your home. Timing and a careful inspection matter, and New Jersey has rules about trapping and relocating wildlife. That's why removal is best left to professionals.
When To Call A Professional
If you're hearing activity in the attic or seeing chewed openings on your roofline, it's time for an inspection. Our NJ DEP-licensed technicians inspect your home inside and out, identify the animal and its entry points, remove squirrels and seal the openings with pest-resistant materials so they can't get back in. Our work is backed by the EcoGuard Guarantee, with free inspections and same-day or next-day service.
Red squirrels are fun to watch from a window, but not to share an attic with. Keeping their food sources in check and their entry points sealed will help keep your Clifton home squirrel-free.