Local squirrel information

Squirrel control in California

Learn what to look for around your property, explore your city, and ask about an inspection or a quote.

Squirrels in California: what to know

Around California

Conditions vary across the state. Choose your city below, then describe what’s happening around your home or business.

What to note

Where you see squirrels, how long it has been going on, and anything you’ve already tried are the most useful details to mention.

A useful next step

Ask about an inspection, what treatment would involve, and whether follow-up visits are included. You don’t need to identify the problem yourself before getting in touch.

Local research

Squirrels in California: what the public record shows

Before you compare quotes, it helps to know which squirrels actually live in California, when they are busiest, and what the state figures look like. Everything below links to the agency or university page it came from.

Game mammals

Tree squirrel legal status

Eastern fox squirrels damaging property may be controlled any time; gray squirrels need a CDFW depredation permit.

UC IPM

One or two per year of 3-5 young

Litters

Breeding late winter or spring.

UC IPM

Usually 5 to 30 feet, 2-3 feet deep (up to 6 feet)

Ground squirrel burrow length

Ground squirrels are the main burrowing pest of yards and slopes.

UC IPM

Squirrel species recorded in California

Eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) — Game animal in most eastern states; introduced and unclassified in Washington and California.
Fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) — Game animal in the East; in California an introduced species that may be controlled any time when damaging property.
Western gray squirrel (Sciurus griseus) — Threatened in Washington; native game mammal in California requiring a depredation permit.
Douglas squirrel (Tamiasciurus douglasii) — Native Pacific Northwest species; protected in Washington.

When squirrels are busiest in California

Tree squirrel damage from food caching peaks in fall; ground squirrels breed Feb-June.

Rules that apply in California

For context, nationally

Two, with 1-8 pups each — Gray squirrel litters per year. Penn State Extension
Mid-December or early January, and again in June — Gray squirrel breeding periods. Penn State Extension

Sources: Pest Notes: Tree Squirrels; UC IPM; Tree Squirrels; Living with wildlife: Tree squirrels. Figures are quoted as the source prints them. How we check our sources

Explore California cities

Anaheim

Mediterranean · urban setting

Squirrel control in California

Squirrels in California: what to know

Around California

What to note

A useful next step

Squirrels in California: what the public record shows

Squirrel species recorded in California

When squirrels are busiest in California

Rules that apply in California

For context, nationally

Explore California cities

Anaheim

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Ask about squirrel control in California