Facts

Primary Species in Georgia

There are two main species that plague Georgia homeowners, each requiring a different stewardship approach: ​

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• Eastern Gray Squirrel: These are the most common tree squirrels in Georgia. They are highly active, agile climbers that readily nest in mature trees and frequently invade residential attics.

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• Southern Flying Squirrel: Much smaller and strictly nocturnal, these squirrels can glide from tree to tree. Because of their tiny size, they can squeeze through gaps as small as a quarter to colonize attic. ​

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Habits and Behavior

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​Squirrels are intelligent, resourceful, and adapt their behaviors based on the season and environment: ​

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• Diurnal vs. Nocturnal: Gray squirrels are strictly active during the day (especially dawn and dusk), while flying squirrels are active only at night, causing scratching sounds after dark.

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• Chewing Instinct: Like all rodents, a squirrel's front teeth grow continuously. They must constantly gnaw on hard materials to keep them worn down, making home structural components a prime target.

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• Cache Foraging: They are driven by a powerful instinct to hoard and bury nuts and seeds, frequently burying food in lawn turf or utilizing home insulation as a hidden storage vault. ​

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• ​Habitats: Where They Thrive

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​        Squirrels seek out secure "harborages"—protected, elevated         areas that provide warmth and safety from ground predators         

• Residential Attics & Soffits: Construction gaps, construction lines, and rotted fascia boards provide easy entry points into warm attic insulation for nesting.

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• Tree Canopies: Overhanging tree branches within 5 to 8 feet of a roofline act as natural launchpads for squirrels to jump directly onto a home.

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• Lake Lanier Wooded Lots: Properties with dense hardwood canopies (especially oak and hickory trees) provide an abundant natural food supply, keeping squirrel populations dense. ​

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Impact on Homeowners

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Property Damage

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• Structural Breaches: Squirrels will aggressively chew through wooden soffits, fascia boards, plastic ridge vents, and lead pipe flashing to widen entry holes into a home.

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• Fire Hazards: Once inside an attic or wall void, they frequently gnaw on electrical wiring, stripping the insulation and creating a severe risk of structural house fires.

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• Insulation Ruin: They tear up insulation to build nests, leaving behind heavy accumulations of feces and urine that ruin the home's thermal efficiency and require professional remediation. ​

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Health & Nuisance Risks

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• Disrupted Peace: The heavy thumping, running, and scratching sounds in the ceiling can cause significant stress for residents.

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• Parasites: Squirrels are frequent hosts to secondary pests, including wild animal fleas, ticks, and microscopic mites that can migrate into living spaces.

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• Odors & Allergens: Accumulated waste and dander in confined attic spaces decay quickly in the Georgia humidity, creating foul odors and triggering respiratory issues or allergies.