Local squirrel information

Squirrel control in Minnesota

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

Squirrels in Minnesota: what to know

Around Minnesota

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 Minnesota: what the public record shows

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

Throughout Minnesota, most common in central hardwoods

Gray squirrel distribution

Hardwood cover overlaps the older housing stock where attic entries are easiest.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

December to February and again June through August, 2 to 4 young

Breeding periods

Two births a year, so there are two stretches when sealing traps young inside.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

12- to 19-inch ball of leaves, twigs and bark

Leaf nest size

The same bulk of material shows up as nest debris in attic insulation.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Squirrel species recorded in Minnesota

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.
Red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) — Unprotected in New York (may be taken any time); protected in Washington.
Northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) — Protected in Washington (emergency take only).

When squirrels are busiest in Minnesota

Winter breeding in December through February drives late-winter attic complaints in a cold-climate housing stock.

Rules that apply in Minnesota

Minnesota DNR Wildlife Control

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: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Tree Squirrels; Pest Notes: Tree Squirrels; Small Game Hunting; Living with wildlife: Tree squirrels. Figures are quoted as the source prints them. How we check our sources

Explore Minnesota cities

Blaine

Humid Continental · suburban setting

Squirrel control in Minnesota

Squirrels in Minnesota: what to know

Around Minnesota

What to note

A useful next step

Squirrels in Minnesota: what the public record shows

Squirrel species recorded in Minnesota

When squirrels are busiest in Minnesota

Rules that apply in Minnesota

For context, nationally

Explore Minnesota cities

Blaine

Bloomington

Brooklyn Park

Burnsville

Coon Rapids

Duluth

Eagan

Eden Prairie

Lakeville

Mankato

Maple Grove

Minneapolis

Moorhead

Plymouth

Rochester

Saint Paul

St. Cloud

Woodbury

Richfield

Ask about squirrel control in Minnesota