Ever you see a squirrel nip off trees? And ever you think that why do squirrels nip off branches. If you are interested to know about this fact of squirrels. Then navigate this article as I’m going to explain this weird-looking habit of squirrels.
Squirrels used to nip off branches to maintain their teeth. As, their teeth become dull with time, so they cut off branches to keep their teeth sharp.
However, they nip off branches to fulfill their water need also. As, branches of trees contain a sufficient amount of water.
Moreover, cutting off trees branches is also a source of stress-relieving for squirrels, especially pregnant squirrels.
Why Do Squirrels Nip Off Branches?
Squirrels are opportunistic omnivorous rodents. And being omnivorous, their food includes a lot of ingredients. As, they can eat both plant-based and meat-based food. In plant-based- food, squirrels can eat nuts, fruits, leaves, seeds, etc.
And in meat- base food, squirrels can eat insects, tiny rodents, as well as they can eat dead beef also. However, not only this, but squirrels can eat other dead squirrels also.
But if their food consists of such vast ingredients, then why are squirrels tearing up trees. However, the answer to this question base on several following reasons.
To Sap Water and Nutrients:
Yes, squirrels cut off trees, branches, and bark to sap water and nutrients from it. However, it becomes necessary for squirrels to do this when there is less food and insufficient water available.
To Sharpen Their Teeth:
However, to maintain the sharpness and length of their teeth, squirrels chewing trees and branches. As it is the best and effective way to sharpen their teeth, this method helps not to grow their teeth more than need.
To Relieve Stress:
Chewing and cutting off tree branches is also a way to release their stress. And this method is usually done by pregnant squirrels the most.
To Make Their Nest:
However, tearing trees, bark, and branches for a nest is common for many birds. So, squirrels are also one of them. As they trim trees bark to make their nests.
The Dangers of Having Squirrels in Your Yard Rather Than Nip Off Branches:
However, squirrels can eat small rodents and insects, etc. So having squirrels around your yard will keep it safe from such pests. Moreover, squirrels keep chewing trees which makes them natural pruner for trees.
But having squirrels in your yard always is not a good idea. There are many problems with which squirrels can keep rising for you and your yard. So, let’s have a look at them.
Firstly, squirrels continuously chewing trees, branches and barks make them expose to other insects. And this causes severe damage to trees. And for feeble and younger trees, it can cause their death.
Read also: How do Squirrels Drink Water in the Wild ?
Secondly, squirrels can damage your yard in many ways. As they keep burying excess food in your yard. And this thing harms your grass as well as it also hurts your yard look.
Furthermore, squirrels can spread many diseases as well wild squirrels can attack your cats also. Moreover, they keep stealing your pet food, as they look forward to freeing food rather than searching and hunting for it.
How To Stop Squirrels From Eating Branches?
There are many ways to keep squirrels away from your yard as well as this will stop squirrels from eating tree buds.
Removing Water and Food Sources:
To keep squirrels away from your yard is possible when you don’t have any food and water sources in your yard. As squirrels always look forward to free food to steal. So removing food and water sources from your yard is the best thing you can do to keep squirrels away.
Squirrels Proof Flowers:
To keep squirrels away from your yard will be possible if you have some squirrels proof flowers in your yard. However, in such flowers, daffodils, lily-of-the-valley, fritillaries, etc. including. The odor of this flower is strong enough for squirrels to keep them away.
Use of Squirrels Deterrents:
Keeping squirrels away from your yard will be possible if you use squirrel’s deterrents. However, squirrel’s deterrents help to keep squirrels away from a specific place.
And these deterrents can consist of the urine of any squirrel predator. As the smell of squirrel’s predator urine never allow them to stick around your yard for a long time. And, for that, you can use coyote and red fox urine, as it will work fine to keep squirrels away.
Read also: Do Squirrels Eat Meat?
Moreover, squirrel’s repellant sprays are also available in the market, which you can use to keep them away from your yard. Furthermore, apple cider vinegar is also a good squirrel repellent. You can also spray it to keep squirrels away.
Use Statue of Predators:
This trick helps a lot to scare away squirrels. As, you can place a squirrel’s predator statue on your lawn. However, you can use the owl’s statue to scare squirrels away.
Wrap Up:
Why do squirrels nip off branches? Or why do squirrels cut off branches? These are such questions that arise in every one mind when they see squirrels cut off stems.
However, there are many reasons due to which squirrels do this. As they do it to sharpen their teeth. Moreover, to sap water and nutrients from trees, squirrels nip them off. Not only this but to release their stress squirrels nipping off trees.
However, if you want to keep squirrels away from your yard, you can use the best method to consult with wildlife services.
But if you’re going to do this on your own, then you can use different squirrel’s repellent sprays in your garden. As their odor will help you to keep squirrels away from your yard.