Squirrel Appreciation Day is Today.
Today January 21st marks a special day on the calendar: Squirrel Appreciation Day.
This day was created in 2001 by North Carolina wildlife rehabilitator Christy McKeown, to recognize the vital role squirrels play in our environment. In the Sunshine State, where our ecosystems are as diverse as our residents, squirrels are architects of our urban forests.
The Great Florida Re-Foresters
In Florida, we primarily see the Eastern Gray Squirrel and the larger, more colorful Sherman’s Fox Squirrel. Squirrels are “scatter-hoarders.” They bury thousands of nuts and seeds, specifically acorns from our majestic Live Oaks and seeds from Slash Pines, across the grounds of apartment complexes and HOA communities. Because squirrels are forgetful, they lose the location of about 74% of their acorns and seeds.
For a multi-family property, this “accidental gardening” provides:
- Natural Shade: New trees help lower ambient temperatures around buildings, reducing cooling costs.
- Air Quality: More trees mean increased carbon processing into oxygen..
- Erosion Control: Root systems from squirrel-planted trees stabilize the sandy Florida soil during our legendary summer downpours.
When the Honeymoon Ends: From Gardeners to Guests
While we appreciate their work in the trees, the relationship between squirrels and humans takes a sharp turn when the squirrels decide that the “great outdoors” isn’t quite cozy enough.
As a property manager in Florida, your “Squirrel Appreciation” might vanish the moment a resident frantically and repeatedly calls the leasing office between 6:00 AM and 8:00 AM, and you are left with seven voice mails.
The Property Manager’s Dilemma
When squirrels move into attics and wall voids, they transition from “wildlife neighbors” to “structural pests.” For a property manager, a squirrel infestation isn’t just a noise complaint; it’s a liability and maintenance crisis.
The most common complaints include:
- Sleep Deprivation: Squirrels are diurnal, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. Residents living on top floors will hear every scamper, jump, and nut-crack right above their beds.
- Fire Hazards: Similarly to rats, squirrels have incisors that never stop growing. Likewise, to keep them filed down, they chew on anything they can find. This includes electrical wiring. Rodents chewing on electrical wiring is a leading cause of unexplained house fires in multi-family units.
- Insulation Destruction: Squirrels love to nest in blown-in or fiberglass insulation, compressing it and contaminating it with urine and droppings.
Bridging the Gap: The Science of Exclusion
So, how do you celebrate Squirrel Appreciation Day when they are currently eating through your building’s soffits? The answer isn’t just removing them, it’s ensuring they can’t come back. This is where professional intervention becomes the only viable long-term strategy.
Meet WellTech Pest Solutions
The team at WellTech Pest Solutions understands that Florida’s wildlife is persistent. They don’t just treat the symptom; they cure the building. WellTech Pest Solutions both evict squirrels from multi-family structures and exclude them from returning.
1. Humane Removal (Eviction)
Using industry-leading techniques, WellTech ensures that squirrels are safely removed from the interior of the property. This prevents the “dead animal in the wall” scenario that occurs when residents try to handle the problem with DIY poisons.
2. Exclusion
This is where WellTech separates itself from standard pest control. Our technicians perform a “nose-to-tail” inspection of the property to find structural gaps. Whether it’s a loose fascia board, a gap in the roofline, or an unsealed vent, we identify every “doorway” a squirrel might use.
Once the animals are out, WellTech seals these areas with professional-grade materials that squirrels can’t chew through. By fixing these structural vulnerabilities, we create a permanent barrier.
More Than Just Squirrels
While today is about the squirrels, the methods used by WellTech Pest Solutions are the gold standard for keeping out a wide variety of Florida’s “uninvited guests.” Their exclusion process is equally effective for:
- Bats
- Raccoons
- Rats and Mice
- Birds and Chipmunks
Final Thoughts: Respecting the Boundary
Squirrel Appreciation Day is a reminder that we share our beautiful Florida landscape with some incredible creatures. We can appreciate their role in planting our oaks and entertaining us with their acrobatics while still maintaining a firm boundary: The trees are yours; the attic is ours.
By partnering with experts like WellTech Pest Solutions, property managers can resolve resident complaints quickly, protect their building’s electrical systems, and ensure that the only squirrels they see are the ones outside… right where they belong.