Gray Squirrels

One of the most frequently encountered native Florida mammals is the gray squirrel. These rodents have large, bushy tails and chisel-like front teeth that can chew through almost anything.

Gray squirrels are active during the day. They eat a wide variety of plants, but mostly fruits and nuts. They're common in urban areas, especially where there are oak trees, gardens, and bird feeders to provide them with plenty of food.

Squirrels can cause a wide variety of problems in the home landscape. They can disturb your plants, often digging up seeds or consuming flowers. Visual and odor repellents typically don't work, but taste repellents can sometimes be effective. And sometimes a solution could be as simple as moving your potted plants.

UF/IFAS Sites

• Florida Forest Wildlife: Gray Squirrels
• Landscape Plants: Dead from Squirrels
• Q&A: How Can I Get Rid of Squirrels?

UF/IFAS Publications

• Basic Rodent Control After a Storm (PDF)
• Feeding Squirrels (PDF)
• Q&A: What's Chewing on My Holly Tree's Leaves? (PDF)
• What to do about Orphaned, Injured, and Sick Wildlife

Also on Gardening in a Minute

• Landscaping for Wildlife

Other Sites

• Animal Pests in the Garden--Colorado State University Cooperative Extension
• Gray Squirrel Biology and Management--Clemson (SC) Cooperative Extension
• Gray Squirrel Management--Alabama Cooperative Extension
• Pests in Gardens and Landscapes: Squirrels--University of California IPM Online
• Squirrels--University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension
• Tree Squirrels--Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management
• Tree Squirrels--University of Illinois Extension
• Vertebrate Pests of the Garden--University of California Cooperative Extension (PDF)