On the first day of Christmas the squirrels gave to me
A hole in my attic ceiling.

On the second day of Christmas the squirrels gave to me
Two ruined cushions,
And a hole in my attic ceiling.

On the third day of Christmas the squirrels gave to me
Three torn-up vents,
Two ruined cushions,
And a hole in my attic ceiling.

On the forth day of Christmas the squirrels gave to me
Four empty feeders,
Three torn-up vents,
Two ruined cushions,
And a hole in my attic ceiling.

On the fifth day of Christmas the squirrels gave to me
Five chewed-up wires,
Four empty feeders,
Three torn-up vents,
Two ruined cushions,
And a hole in my attic ceiling.

On the sixth day of Christmas the squirrels gave to me
Six shredded curtains,
Five chewed-up wires,
Four empty feeders,
Three torn-up vents,
Two ruined cushions,
And a hole in my attic ceiling.

On the seventh day of Christmas the squirrels gave to me
Seven dug-up gardens,
Six shredded curtains,
Five chewed-up wires,
Four empty feeders,
Three torn-up vents,
Two ruined cushions,
And a hole in my attic ceiling.

On the eighth day of Christmas the squirrels gave to me
Eight gnawed-up fences,
Seven dug-up gardens,
Six shredded curtains,
Five chewed-up wires,
Four empty feeders,
Three torn-up vents,
Two ruined cushions,
And a hole in my attic ceiling.

On the ninth day of Christmas the squirrels gave to me
Nine stripped-down tree limbs,
Eight gnawed-up fences,
Seven dug-up gardens,
Six shredded curtains,
Five chewed-up wires,
Four empty feeders,
Three torn-up vents,
Two ruined cushions,
And a hole in my attic ceiling.

On the tenth day of Christmas the squirrels gave to me
Ten days of trapping,
Nine stripped-down tree limbs,
Eight gnawed-up fences,
Seven dug-up gardens,
Six shredded curtains,
Five chewed-up wires,
Four empty feeders,
Three torn-up vents,
Two ruined cushions,
And a hole in my attic ceiling.

On the eleventh day of Christmas the squirrels gave to me
Eleven shredded ducts,
Ten days of trapping,
Nine stripped-down tree limbs,
Eight gnawed-up fences,
Seven dug-up gardens,
Six shredded curtains,
Five chewed-up wires,
Four empty feeders,
Three torn-up vents,
Two ruined cushions,
And a hole in my attic ceiling.

On the twelfth day of Christmas the squirrels gave to me
Twelve attic disasters,
Eleven shredded ducts,
Ten days of trapping,
Nine stripped-down tree limbs,
Eight gnawed-up fences,
Seven dug-up gardens,
Six shredded curtains,
Five chewed-up wires,
Four empty feeders,
Three torn-up vents,
Two ruined cushions,
And a hole in my attic ceiling.

Fast Facts About Squirrels:

• Tree Squirrel Species Native to Texas: fox squirrel, gray squirrel, and flying squirrel
• Most Common Squirrel Species in the Metroplex: fox squirrel
• Lifespan: 4 to 7 years
• Average Size: 18 to 27 inches long, 1.5-2.5 lbs
• Appearance: brown-gray with orange underbelly and 7 to 14 inch long bushy tail
• Diet: tree nuts, fruit, bark, tree buds, insects, tubers, bulbs, roots, bird eggs, mushrooms, and seeds
• Habitat:
  • In the Wild: tree dens (natural cavities & crotches in trees) and leaf nests, ideally in an area of open forest with mature shade trees
  • In a Home: nests are most often built in attics and chimneys
• Active Times: daytime
• Reproduction: 1 to 2 litters per year: 1 in Spring, 1 in Fall.
  • Babies are born blind & furless and are weaned for approximately 12-14 weeks
• Behavior:
  • Caching of food: they bury shelled foods that are high in fat, such as nuts
    • Often these buried nuts are forgotten and will later grow into trees
  • Solitary and asocial other than during breeding season
  • Large vocabulary consisting of clucking and chucking sounds
  • Can jump 15 feet horizontally and 8 feet high
  • Can land safely from 20 feet high
  • Have 4 front teeth that will continue to grow throughout their lives and are kept in check via gnawing on nuts and other items
  • Can run up to 20 mph
  • Will inhabit a range of about 10 acres per season

Signs of Squirrel Damage:

• Holes chewed in soffits/eaves
• Torn up insulation
• Urine and feces in the attic
• Chewed wiring
• Gnawed tree bark
• Dug up and eaten flower bulbs
• Noises coming from the attic or chimney during the daytime

Squirrel Removal:

If a squirrel has moved into your attic or chimney, the best course of action is to call a professional for a thorough assessment and live animal trapping. This process ensures the squirrel can be safely captured and relocated. A technician will also inspect your home for entry points, such as areas where the squirrel may have chewed through siding, eaves, or soffits, and discuss repair and prevention options. Since baby squirrels require a significant weaning period, it’s crucial to have a professional handle the trapping and exclusion to avoid separating mothers from their young.

Squirrel Prevention:

If you spot squirrels in your yard or hear them scampering across your roof, it’s wise to take preventive steps to keep them out of your chimney or attic. This can help you avoid costly repairs and extensive cleanup caused by their intrusion.

Here are some tips to help successfully prevent squirrel infestations:

• Trim tree limbs back at least 8 to 10 feet from your roof.
• Install sheet metal bands around tree trunks to discourage squirrels from climbing.
• Ensure attic vents are properly screened to block entry.
• Remove bird feeders located close to your home.
• Install a chimney cap and confirm it’s in good condition.

This winter, don’t let squirrels crash your Christmas festivities. At the first signs of squirrel damage, call in a professional to handle the issue. That way, the only sounds on your rooftop will be Santa and his reindeer, and you can focus on keeping your celebrations merry and bright.

Additional References:
“Controlling Tree Squirrels in Urban Areas” – Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Squirrels: Diet, Habits & Other Facts – Alina Bradford, LiveScience
“Squirrels” – Texas Parks & Wildlife

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