Santa Clara County has several species of tree squirrels: the native Western Grey and Douglas squirrels, and the introduced Eastern Grey and Red Fox squirrels. Most tree squirrels are classified as game mammals by the California Fish and Game Code, and are protected. They can only be taken (killed) during hunting season. However, the most common as well as the most troublesome tree squirrel is the red fox squirrel, and this is not protected. It may be taken at any time and in any manner the land owner or tenant chooses that is legal. It is not legal to discharge any firearms, bee bee guns, pellet guns or slingshots in Santa Clara cities, suburbs or unincorporated suburban area of the county. It is legal to shoot the above mentions arms in unincorporated rural areas with permission of the sheriff.

What You Can Do

The best form of control is habitat modifications and squirrel proofing.

• Close openings to attic vents with _ inch hardware cloth.
• Prevent squirrels from traveling on wires by installing two-foot sections of lightweight 2-to-3 inch diameter plastic pipe. Slit the pipe lengthwise, spread opening and place over wire. The pipe will rotate on the wire and cause traveling squirrels to tumble.
• Trim trees appropriately to prevent squirrels from jumping onto roofs.
• Encircle tree trunks with a two-foot wide collar of metal six feet from the ground to prevent squirrels from climbing trees.
• Hang bird feeders in an open area, or use squirrel proof feeders.
• Repellents such as human hair (from a barber shop), perfumed soap chips, rags soaked with baby shampoo, and cayenne pepper. Commercial repellents are also available.

What You Can’t Do

• NO POISON BAIT is registered for use against any tree squirrel.
• Trapping may be done with permits from California Department of Fish and Game, but the matter of disposal remains a problem if live trapping is used; therefore we do not recommend this method of control to our callers. See pamphlet “Why Not Let Them Go?” for further information.

Resources

Squirrels Among Us! Humane Society of Santa Clara Valley brochure