Squirrel pox (fibromatosis), is a terrible disease that affects squirrels, although it is relatively rare. Squirrel pox makes these rodents sluggish and compromises their immune system, causing mange, scab or lumps, leading to a quick loss of body condition and subsequently death. In contrast to our chicken pox, squirrel pox is not a herpes virus. Because this form of pox is transmitted through blood, the squirrels become infected by biting insect vectors, such as fleas or mosquitoes. The diagnosis for squirrels with pox is not encouraging and many vets recommend putting the animal down. If you have an outdoor birdfeed, you are only increasing the odds of higher disease transmission because you have a communal feeding area under the feeder where the bird seed lands, as well, there is a greater opportunity that those squirrels will want to get into your house for shelter. If you want to get rid of the squirrels by trapping and relocating them - remember that repairs to the building properly need to be done as other will come back following the previous squirrels pheromones. Have a look at our go green pest control.ca website and give us a call so we can squirrel proof for good.
