Rock Squirrels (Spermophilus variegatus), are some of the most handsome of the squirrels found in the Americas-see below. They can however, be a real nuisance as well as a carrier of disease. Unlike the Arizona Gray, or the Apache Red squirrels in Arizona, or Eastern Gray, or Red Squirrels, back east, the Rock squirrels found in the Southwest US, although they can climb, spend their time on the ground and in burrows underground.
1st Response Wildlife receives dozens of calls from Homeowner Associations (HOAs), homeowners, schools, and businesses to investigate and relocate Rock squirrels which have wreaked havoc in and around buildings, under fences, destroying gardens, and leaving ugly entrance holes to their burrows. The size of their burrow entrances can also be dangerous in playgrounds/parks for children and athletes as well as in horse arenas where their holes are large enough, if stepped in, to break a leg. Rock squirrel burrows also can continue several yards under structures which, in some rare occasions, compromise the flooring and supports of the structure. In other cases, holes under gates, fences, and walls, have established a new pathway to allow other critters to enter a homeowner or business enclosure. (Fences, walls, decks, porches, and piles of debris seem to attract them.)
A good example of this is seen below. In this example the size of the hole under the fence is large enough to allow rabbits to enter and a homeowner’s small dog to escape.
Rock squirrels also find porches, decks, and sheds comfortable places to birth and raise their young. These structures provide protection from the weather and an environment with a more constant temperature-which 1st Response Wildlife labels as Rock squirrel “favorites.”
Often overlooked by homeowners, businesses, and HOAs, where Rock squirrels are observed but have not necessarily built burrows or, as of yet caused significant damage, is the fact that Rock squirrels are known carriers of disease. Since they are primarily ground dwellers, are in constant contact with the ground/underground, they easily can become a host transport for fleas which carry bubonic plague.
1st Response Wildlife is very careful when handling live Rock squirrels during the transport and relocation process. (Even deceased Rock squirrels should be handled with gloves to help protect from the potential of fleas.) So, along with the potential damage Rock squirrels can have on your home, business, or structure, when you combine that with the potential for disease, 1st Response Wildlife suggests Rock squirrels observed around your property, parks, or business, should be removed/relocated. 1st Response Wildlife will humanely remove and relocate the Rock squirrels. See below.
If you find that you have one or more Rock squirrels creating a nuisance in and around your business or home or, if you have small children and pets that you are concerned might come in contact with the fleas Rock squirrels may have, please give 1st Response Wildlife a call to discuss how we, together, can decide how to best deal with removing them.
Thanks for considering 1st Response Wildlife
Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517
Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, hawks, ducks, squirrels (ardilla), peacocks, coatimundi (gato solo), skunks (mofeta), exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7. Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children or have an exotic sighting in your neighborhood. 520-260-9517 Thanks!
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