Are Squirrels Dangerous?

Squirrels are wild animals and should be treated as such. Many people all over the world think they are cute because of their adorable faces and big fluffy tails, but a fact is a fact. They are not domesticated animals and they are not used to human presence. On rare occasions, if you feed squirrels often they may pluck up the courage to get close to you or even eat from your hand. However, if they also feel threatened, they may attack you, your child, or your pet.

Are Squirrels Dangerous to Humans?

There are several reasons why these adorable-looking rodents can be threatening and inflict harm to humans. In the UK, we consider grey squirrels an invasive species, and they are the most common intruders.

Are Grey Squirrels Dangerous?

Here are the main reasons why we control grey squirrels:

• Grey squirrels can inflict structural damage to your home or business.
• On rare occasions, they can cause health problems to humans and pets.
• Also, they cause the destruction of UK forests.
• They are the main reason the red squirrel is a disappearing species in the UK.

Are Red Squirrels Dangerous?

The population of the red squirrel is now mainly found in Scotland. Out of their approximate number 160 000, about 120 000 are on Scottish territory. This means that in England, you’ll hardly see them in an urban setting. Unlike the grey squirrel, the red prefer living in forests and parks. Their preferred environments are coniferous woods and are rarely found in broad-leaved forests. Red squirrels are considered more aggressive than their grey brethren. They are very territorial and protective of their food and babies. They may attack humans, other animals, or even other red squirrels.

However, if red squirrels are common where you live, they may be more of a problem for your house. If they find a way in your home, they can cause structural damage, chew on electrical wires, make a nest on your property, leave droppings, urine, or just chaos from rummaging for food. If you are suffering from a red squirrel invasion, you must contact your local council. These animals are protected by law and you are not allowed to trap or kill them.

Are Baby Squirrels Dangerous?

No, but they are super adorable. A baby squirrel regardless of the species isn’t dangerous to humans or pets. If you find a fallen newborn in your yard, you can pick it up and take it to a vet without worrying about your health. It is not uncommon for people in England to find fallen babies because squirrels may nest on trees in your yard.

Do Squirrels Bite?

No squirrel species is aggressive by nature. However, they are wild animals and if they feel threatened by you or another animal, they may bite as a defense mechanism. Even domesticated pets attack if they feel unsafe. As a rule of thumb, you should know not to try and pick up wild animals, including squirrels. It is very likely that this would make them feel endangered and they will protect themselves.

Are squirrel bites dangerous?

Squirrel bites can be dangerous if the creature has rabies. If not, squirrel bites aren’t very alarming. If you get bitten by a squirrel, make sure to do the following:

1. Wash the wound with water and soap (the soap is optional).
2. Disinfect the area with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
3. Put a bandage on the wound.
4. Call your doctor if you think something is not right with the bitten area.

These will prevent the wound from developing an infection which can become mildly dangerous if it’s not treated on time.

Are squirrels dangerous to dogs?

If the squirrel has rabies, it can be dangerous. Take your dog to the vet immediately. However, keep in mind that these are super rare occurrences.

Do Squirrels Carry Diseases?

Yes, they carry a number of diseases but only a few of them can be transmitted and are dangerous to humans. The most common ones include tularemia, salmonelosis, typhus, and ringworm. These diseases are transmitted through different forms of direct contact with infected squirrels, like bites. Squirrels also carry a number of parasites which can be left behind on your property, yourself, or your pet. Such are ticks, fleas, mites.

What Diseases Do Squirrels Carry?

As we said already, squirrels do carry and may transmit several diseases.

• Lyme disease: Squirrels carry ticks which may be the carriers of the disease. Symptoms of Lyme disease may include nerve pain, stiffness, and inflammation.
• Rabies: Rabies isn’t usually a disease that affects rodents but it is not impossible. On rare occasions, squirrels can be infected with the disease. The disease can be transmitted via biting or scratching. That is also one of the reasons a squirrel can attack another animal, a child, or an adult.
• Salmonellosis: The Salmonella bacteria are found in droppings and may cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, or fever.
• Leptospirosis: This is another bacterial infection that may cause headache, vomiting, fever, jaundice, or rash.
• Tularemia: Is an infectious disease that attacks the skin, eyes, lymph nodes, and lungs.

Do Grey Squirrels Kill Red Squirrels?

The short answer is no. These two are the main squirrel species in the UK but they do not live in symbiosis. Grey squirrels in the UK do not actively seek out red squirrels and attack them with the sole purpose of killing them. This is simply not the case. The reason why the red squirrel's population is reduced is that they have more trouble breeding due to various reasons and are more affected by diseases. They die off at a faster rate than they reproduce.

Are All Squirrels Vermin?

Here in the UK, grey squirrels are considered a pest. In fact, they are one of the most common pests on the island. They can cause damage to trees in your yard and even your home. What is more, they often enter attics, lofts, or your kitchen through an open window and steal your food. Some of the damages they do are chew wires and wall insulation. Also, they can leave urine or droppings behind which is never a pleasant thing to deal with.

Conclusion

To sum up, squirrels may come near you if you offer them food but they won’t be quick to attack you. Unless you try to catch them or hurt them and they feel threatened in which case they will bite and scratch. If you have children and pets, you may want to keep them away from any wildlife animals, including squirrels.

Regardless of how cute and fluffy they may look, safety should always be a priority. And if you’re not a fan of squirrels but they are tormenting your home, you should hire professional pest controllers to fix the problem. Fantastic squirrel pest control experts follow all rules and regulations when treating squirrels on your land and property.