If you’ve ever spotted a bushy-tailed creature darting across your yard or scrambling up a tree trunk, chances are you’ve encountered a squirrel. In Florida, these agile animals are more than just casual wildlife sightings—they’re potential houseguests that can cause significant damage. But before we talk about infestations and property damage, let’s answer a fundamental question: Are squirrels considered rodents?
Yes—squirrels are indeed rodents. But there’s a lot more to understand about what this means, especially if you live in a place like Florida, where squirrel populations thrive. This guide breaks it all down: the science, the signs of trouble, and what you can do if squirrels start turning your attic into their nest.
Squirrels: Rodents by Definition
Squirrels belong to the order Rodentia, the largest group of mammal species in the world. This order includes familiar creatures like rats, mice, guinea pigs, and prairie dogs. The defining characteristic of rodents is their continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaw, perfectly designed for gnawing.
Squirrels have these chisel-like teeth—and they use them well. That gnawing isn’t just for cracking open nuts. In urban and suburban environments, squirrels have been known to chew through tree bark, roofing materials, electrical wiring, and even wall cavities, creating openings into attics and crawl spaces.
So yes, squirrels are rodents, both biologically and behaviorally.
Understanding the Squirrel Family Tree
When we refer to “squirrels,” we’re talking about a broad squirrel family that includes multiple species:
- Tree squirrels (like the eastern gray squirrel and the red squirrel)
- Ground squirrels
- Flying squirrels
Each of these species has unique behaviors, but all share common rodent traits like short limbs, long tails, and robust bodies that allow them to climb, gnaw, and store food for later use.
In Florida, the eastern gray squirrel is the most common. Known for its reddish brown coat or dark brown variations, it’s active during the early morning and early evening, often found navigating tree branches, raiding bird feeders, or nesting in attic spaces.
Flying squirrels—though less commonly seen—are nocturnal and capable of gliding between trees, while ground squirrels burrow in soil and landscapes.
Why It Matters: Rodents Are Pests
Squirrels may look cuter than rats or mice, but don’t be fooled by the fluffy tails. Their behavior aligns closely with other rodent species when it comes to being pests.
Like rats and mice, squirrels:
- Gnaw constantly due to their growing teeth
- Build nests in quiet, dark areas—like attics or soffits
- Cause property damage through chewing and nesting
- They are capable of transmitting several diseases, including Lyme disease, Salmonella, and Leptospirosis
- Contaminate insulation and drywall with squirrel droppings and urine
Squirrels are also closely related to rats in terms of their head shape, lower jaw structure, and masseter muscles used for chewing.
While they don’t always carry the same stigma as an adult rat or house mouse, squirrels can cause significant damage if left unchecked—especially during nesting season.
The Risks of Squirrel Infestation in Florida Homes
Florida’s warm climate and abundant trees make it a paradise for many wildlife species, and squirrels are no exception. Local squirrel populations have been rising due to mild winters and easy access to food sources.
Here’s what to watch out for:
1. Nesting Habits
Squirrels commonly nest in:
- Tree trunks or hollowed limbs
- Rooflines, attics, and soffits
- Crawlspaces or garages
They use plant material, leaves, and insulation to create comfortable dens—often near food sources. So if you have canned food stored in your attic, squirrels are likely to create nests there. Even further, squirrels will frequent your backyard if you leave out bird food or a pet bowl.
2. Squirrel Tracks and Signs
Another common sign of squirrels is tracks. You might see their tracks in muddy ground, dusty surfaces, or wet soil. Look for these common signs of squirrels:
- Squirrel tracks in attic dust or garden soil
- Chewed wood, wires, or tree bark
- Scattered squirrel droppings
- Sounds of scratching or scampering in walls, especially around dawn or dusk
3. Structural Damage
Squirrels can chew through wood, soffits, vents, and even metal flashing. Once inside, they may tear apart insulation, store food, and start reproducing—creating a multi-generational problem.
If you notice damage in your attic or crawlspace, you could be dealing with squirrels. Thankfully, professional wildlife removal companies can come out and eradicate your squirrel infestation using humane methods.
Squirrels vs. Other Rodents
Let’s put it plainly: Squirrels, rats, and mice share more similarities than differences. The similarities between squirrels and other rodents include:
- Squirrels and rats both chew wiring and can cause house fires.
- They reproduce quickly and can go undetected for long periods.
- Their nesting behavior is nearly identical in home environments.
- Both are part of the same rodent family, although squirrels tend to be slightly larger.
The main differences between squirrels and other rodents include:
- Tail Appearance- Squirrels tend to have long and bushy tails that are used for balance and communication. Other rodents have long, thin, and hairless tails used for balance and temperature regulation.
- Activity Times- Squirrels are diurnal (active during daylight, especially morning and evening), while rats and mice are nocturnal (active at night).
- Habitat Preferences- Squirrels prefer elevated spaces like trees, attics, and rooftops. On the other hand, rats and mice often nest in lower spaces like basements, crawlspaces, or inside walls
- Diet- Squirrels mostly eat plant material, like nuts, seeds, and fruits. Rats and mice are omnivores and will eat almost anything they can get their paws on.
- Nesting Behavior- Squirrels build large nests (called dreys) from leaves and insulation, while other rodents use small, hidden nests built from shredded paper, cloth, or wall insulation.
- Teeth and Jaw- All rodents have continuously growing incisors, but squirrels have stronger upper masseter muscles adapted for hard foods like nuts. Mice and rats have less jaw strength but gnaw more aggressively on wiring and structural materials.
- Behavioral Traits- Squirrels are more solitary or pair-bonded and territorial. Rats and mice are highly social, often living in colonies.
- Disease Risk- Squirrels can carry diseases, but are less likely to transmit them directly to humans, while rats and mice have a higher risk of disease transmission (e.g., Hantavirus, Leptospirosis).
- Visibility- Squirrels are frequently seen in open spaces (trees, lawns, rooftops). On the other hand, rats and mice prefer to stay hidden and move along walls or dark areas.
- Legal Treatment in Florida- Squirrels are protected as non-game species, which means they must be removed humanely. Other rodents are classified as pests, and can be exterminated.
Other rodent species like prairie dogs and guinea pigs aren’t native to Florida’s wild ecosystems—but squirrels are.
Are Squirrels Protected in Florida?
Yes, under Florida law, native squirrels are protected as non-game animals, which means you can’t harm or kill them without a permit. However, removal is permitted if they’re causing property damage, but it must be done humanely and often requires a licensed wildlife removal expert.
This is why preventative measures are so critical.
Prevention and Removal: What You Can Do
1. Seal Entry Points
Inspect:
- Rooflines
- Chimneys
- Fascia and soffit boards
- Vents and eaves
Use metal flashing, hardware cloth, and sealant to block access.
2. Trim Trees
Squirrels often access rooftops via tree trunks and branches. Trim trees back at least 6–8 feet from the house.
3. Remove Attractants
Take down bird feeders or switch to squirrel-proof designs. Store trash in sealed containers and avoid leaving food or pet kibble outdoors.
4. Professional Wildlife Removal
If you suspect a squirrel infestation, call a licensed wildlife removal service in Florida. They can assess the situation, remove animals humanely, and help prevent re-entry.
Get Connected to Squirrel Removal in Florida
So, are squirrels rodents? Absolutely.
They’re part of a mammal species with deep evolutionary roots in the order Rodentia, just like mice and rats. And in the state of Florida, where the climate and vegetation invite high squirrel populations, homeowners must stay alert.
Whether it’s their continuously growing incisors, destructive nesting habits, or their ability to cause thousands of dollars in property damage, squirrels should not be underestimated. If you’re hearing footsteps in your attic or noticing gnawed wires, it’s time to act.
Being proactive can save your home—and wallet—from a very squirrelly situation.
If you are dealing with a squirrel infestation, Nuisance Wildlife Rangers is here to help. We remove squirrels using humane methods, which means no animal will be harmed in the process. Contact us today for more information on our squirrel removal services.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I tell if a squirrel has been living in my attic long-term?
Long-term squirrel activity usually leaves behind more than just droppings. Look for large nesting piles of leaves or insulation, strong odors from urine, and heavy staining on wood or drywall. Chewed support beams and wiring are also signs that the squirrels have been present for weeks or even months. If babies are found, the nesting cycle has likely repeated.
2. Are flying squirrels more dangerous than tree squirrels in a home?
Flying squirrels tend to be more elusive and nocturnal, which can make them harder to detect. They’re smaller, but often live in colonies, which means infestations grow faster. Their gliding abilities also give them access to harder-to-reach spaces like high rooflines or hidden eaves, potentially increasing entry points and damage complexity.
3. Can squirrel droppings carry disease like rat droppings do?
Yes. Though less notorious than rats, squirrel feces can still contain pathogens, including Leptospira and Salmonella, and can attract other pests like roaches and flies. Mold spores from dried droppings can also become airborne. Never attempt to clean it without proper safety gear or professional help.
4. Why do squirrels target attic spaces instead of staying in trees?
Attics mimic the natural hollowed trees squirrels prefer, but with fewer predators and better insulation. They’re dry, warm, and near food sources like gardens and bird feeders. Once one squirrel finds a safe nesting spot indoors, it may return seasonally—or even bring more.
5. What time of year are squirrel infestations most common in Florida?
While Florida’s mild winters allow squirrels to be active year-round, infestations spike in late winter and early fall, which are key nesting periods. During these times, squirrels seek warm, secure spaces to give birth and raise young. These seasons are prime time for attic invasions.
6. Is it safe to relocate a squirrel myself after trapping it?
Florida law typically requires that wildlife relocation be done by licensed professionals, especially with native species. Improper handling or relocation can be dangerous for both the squirrel and you. Relocated squirrels often don’t survive without access to familiar food sources or nesting areas. Use certified wildlife control services to ensure humane and legal handling.
