You may not automatically think of squirrels as pests. After all, they’re so cute and fluffy. But your opinion of squirrels is likely to change once you get woken up by a few of them thumping around in your attic or gnawing on your electrical wiring.
The truth is, squirrels are a fact of life. BC is home to several native species of squirrel that are part of the ecosystem of the province, as well as an invasive species that doesn’t belong here. And all of these species are capable of causing problems when they get inside our homes and businesses.
BC is home to these species of squirrel:
- Eastern gray squirrel
- Red squirrel
- Douglas squirrel
- Northern flying squirrel
Depending on where you live, any of these species could be a problem if they invade your property. You’ll have to employ some squirrel removal tactics yourself, or call on a squirrel control company to help you control and removal tactics yourself Here’s what you can do about it.
TLDR;
- Squirrels in BC are more than backyard entertainment, they often sneak into attics and cause real damage
- The most common culprits are grey squirrels and red squirrels, both known for chewing wires, insulation, and wood
- You’ll usually notice scratching sounds, droppings, or entry holes along the roofline or soffits
- Left unchecked, squirrels can create fire hazards by gnawing on electrical wiring and contaminating insulation
- Prevention starts with sealing entry points, trimming tree branches, and removing easy food sources around your home
- DIY removal can work in early stages, but it gets tricky once they’ve nested or had babies
- Humane trapping and exclusion are the safest and most effective long-term solutions
- Professional pest control ensures squirrels are removed properly and don’t find their way back in
Or Summarise this article with.
Which species of squirrel are invasive?
The forests of BC are home to several species of squirrel like the Northern Flying squirrel and the Douglas Squirrel. However, the province also has a large population of the invasive Eastern gray squirrel. This squirrel, originally from the eastern region of North America, was introduced to Stanley Park in 1909.
They were also introduced to Vancouver Island in 1966. Since then, they have gone on to establish themselves throughout the south of the province and outcompete many of the native species. Eastern grey squirrels can transmit viruses to native squirrel species and are particularly damaging to sensitive Garry Oak ecosystems.
Additionally, these ‘urbanised’ squirrels most likely to invade your home, especially if you live in a city in southern BC.
Types of squirrel in BC
Along with the invasive Eastern gray squirrel, BC is home to several native species including the Red Squirrel, Douglas Squirrels, the Northern Flying Squirrel, as well as the aforementioned Eastern Gray.
| Eastern Gray | Red Squirrel | Douglas Squirrel | Northern Flying Sq |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
| Invasive species *BCINvasives.ca | native tree squirrels | native tree squirrels | native to BC and North America |
| Can be grey or black in colour. Dark to pale grey backs that may be brushed with cinnamon on hips, feet, and head. Ears are buff to grey to white, and its tail is white to pale grey. | Much smaller than the Eastern Gray, rusty red fur which fades to white on the belly. Bushy tail (tail hairs tipped with red), tufted ears and distinctive white eye-ring | Similar in size to the red squirrel. They have gray fur with a red-brown tail, but perhaps their most distinctive feature is the orange hair on their bellies and around their eyes | broad, flat tail and large eyes, large round sparsely-hairy ears, and have a membrane of skin between the front and back legs that they can use like wings to glide |
| Have adapted very well to urban areas. well established in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver island | Found almost everywhere in B.C. Native squirrels prefer forest habitat and move out when urban development moves in. | Only on B.C.’s southern coast. More commonly found in the backcountry than cities | found throughout Canada, from the Yukon to the eastern provinces as well as regions in northern states. Like to nest in trees |
North Flying Squirrel – Credit
Red Squirrel
Found throughout BC, the red squirrel is much smaller than the Eastern gray, weighing around 200g compared to over 400g for the gray squirrel. Red squirrels are identifiable by their rusty red fur which fades to white on the belly. Red squirrels feed mostly on pine seeds and often bury pinecones to store for later. They have a litter of three to seven young in the spring, and sometimes a second litter in August-September.
Douglas Squirrels
This West Coast squirrel is found from southern BC down to California. Measuring 15 cm long and weighing in at 220g, they are similar in size to the red squirrel. They have grey fur with a red-brown tail, but perhaps their most distinctive feature is the orange hair on their bellies and around their eyes. These squirrels prefer to feed on conifer cones, but will also eat acorns, fruit, and other plants. More commonly found in the backcountry than they are in cities, these squirrels are generally not a big problem for homeowners.
Northern Flying Squirrel
The Northern Flying Squirrel might be the most impressive squirrel species in BC. These squirrels get their name from their habit of gliding. They have a membrane of skin between the front and back legs that they can use like wings to launch themselves off a tree and glide to another. Weighing between 100 and 230g, these small squirrels usually nest in trees, but they have been known to nest in homes when they can get inside. Shy and nocturnal, the squirrels are rarely seen by city dwellers, though there is a population inside Stanley Park.
Is it legal to kill squirrels in BC?
Most native species in BC are protected, and that includes the native species of squirrels. However, as an invasive species, the Eastern gray squirrel is registered under schedule C of the Wildlife Act, which means it is legal to trap or kill them. No permit or license is required, and there are no seasonal restrictions.
A homeowner can use live traps on their own property, but once the squirrels are captured they must be put down humanely. Squirrels can only be trapped and released within short distances. Killing traps are not allowed within 200m of dwelling or anywhere that they might accidentally harm Red squirrels.
Do squirrels carry diseases?
Squirrels don’t get the hatred and revulsion other rodents like rats do. That doesn’t mean they can’t carry diseases that can affect humans. Tularemia, ringworm, typhus, and even the plague can be carried by squirrels. They can also spread parasites such as ticks, which can spread other diseases like Lyme disease and encephalitis.
Avoiding diseases carried by squirrels means keeping your distance from the squirrels themselves. Don’t feed squirrels on your property, and if you feed birds, try to use squirrel-proof bird feeders. If squirrels are getting inside your home, you may need to have them professionally removed.
What Squirrels Are Native To BC
Not all squirrels are troublemakers. Some are just living their best forest life. In BC, the native species include red squirrels, Douglas squirrels, and flying squirrels. These guys typically stay outdoors and play a role in the ecosystem by spreading seeds and controlling fungi growth.
The ones that usually end up in your attic are eastern grey squirrels. They were introduced and adapted a little too well to urban life. If you’re hearing chewing overhead, chances are you’re not dealing with a shy forest dweller. You’ve got a bold house guest.
When Squirrels Get Extra Destructive
Most homeowners expect noise. What surprises people is how fast squirrels can turn small access into big damage.
They’ll widen entry holes, shred insulation for nesting, and chew wood framing like it’s a hobby. In colder months, they settle in longer, which means more wear and tear inside your attic.
If you start noticing higher energy bills or uneven temperatures, damaged insulation from squirrels might already be costing you money.
How do I remove a squirrel?
When it comes to squirrels, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
- Removing bird feeders and other food sources like accessible garbage can help make your home less attractive to squirrels.
- It’s also a good idea to cut back any tree branches that approach the home. Remember that an Eastern gray squirrel can jump as far as nine feet horizontally, so you may need to cut branches back quite aggressively to keep them off your roof.
- Inspect your roof line – Squirrels tend to gain entry to homes through the roof, so it’s a good idea to regular inspect your roof for signs of rodent entry. Check under roof tiles and pay special attention to junctions where different parts of the roof meet.
- Seal up entryways – Squirrels are capable of gnawing holes in soffits to get inside attic, and once they are inside, they can make a huge mess. Metal flashing or quarter-inch galvanized steel mesh can be a good solution to block up holes.
- Installing one-way door can force the squirrel out. However, this specialized service is beyond the ability of most homeowners
If squirrels are inside your home, it’s too late to seal up holes. The last thing you want to do is trap a squirrel inside your home, or trap a mother squirrel outside while her babies are inside.
Proceed with caution if you are attempting entryway exclusions: Blocking up holes at this point can do more harm than good. Blocking up a hole while the mother squirrel is outside can cause more harm than good. The mother squirrel can do a lot of damage to your roof as she tries to get inside back to her offspring. Plus, you don’t want to kill a bunch of baby squirrels in your attic and then have to deal with the guilt that comes with it.
The BC SPCA recommends you review their best practice sheet on how to handle squirrel problems or remove them from your home.
Westside Pro Tip
If you’ve spotted one squirrel going in and out of your roof, assume there are more. Seriously.
Squirrels don’t rent solo units. They build nests, stash food, and raise babies in cozy attic insulation. Blocking the hole too early can trap them inside, which leads to panic chewing and more damage.
Watch the entry point for a full day before sealing anything. Look for activity patterns, especially early morning and late afternoon. That little bit of patience can save you a much bigger repair bill.
The Verdict?
Generally, squirrels come inside attics to have babies. In BC, this happens in the spring, sometimes as early as February. When first born, the baby squirrels are helpless and don’t leave the nest. The mother will go out and forage for food to bring back to them.
The best thing to do is call a professional wildlife company like Westside pest control so that they can humanely remove these rodents and block up the holes in your roof to make sure it never happens again.
Need some help getting a squirrel out of your attic?
Call, email, or chat with a pest expert for more information and a quotation.
FAQs
Are black squirrels invasive in BC?
Black squirrels aren’t a separate species. They’re a color variation of the eastern grey squirrel. Since grey squirrels were introduced to BC, black squirrels fall into that same non-native category. They behave the same way too. If they’re on your property, expect the same chewing, nesting, and attic break-ins as their grey cousins.
Do squirrels leave on their own if I scare them?
Sometimes they’ll bolt if you make noise, but they rarely leave for good. If they’ve built a nest or had babies, they’re sticking around. You might quiet things down for a day or two, then it’s back to scratching and chewing. Long-term removal means cutting off access and making sure no one is left inside.
What time of year are squirrels most active in attics?
Early spring and fall are the busiest times. Spring is baby season, so females are looking for safe nesting spots. Fall is all about shelter and food storage before winter hits. If you hear a sudden increase in noise during these times, there’s a good chance they’ve moved in, not just passing through.