Why You Should Never Remove This From A Tree in Illinois

As you begin spring cleanup in your yard soon, there is one thing you must not do according to Illinois law, and it has everything to do with squirrels.

'Vaping Squirrels' in London

If you're currently wondering what vaping squirrels in London have to do with spring yard cleanup, give me a second to get there.

READ MORE: Dangerous New Tick Virus Found in Winnebago County

Pictures and videos of 'vaping squirrels' have been blowing up on social media lately, and although seeing a squirrel holding a vape is funny, the truth of why it's happening is not funny at all.

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I'm sharing this as solid proof that the entire world needs to be more mindful of what we discard and how it affects nature's creatures, and in Illinois, we also need to be careful about destroying squirrel nests during our spring yard clean up chores.

What Does a Squirrel Nest Look Like?

Have you ever noticed a big clump of dead leaves in one of your trees and thought, "that needs to come down immediately"?

WRONG! That clump of leaves is actually a squirrel nest that probably has babies in it right now in Illinois.

Squirrel Protections in Illinois

Squirrels typically have two litters a year; one in late winter and another heading into summer. So, there’s a very real chance that leafy lump is currently occupied by tiny, squeaky tenants who are protected by Illinois laws.

In Illinois, squirrels are considered protected wildlife. The law makes it illegal to trap, hunt, or harm squirrels in urban areas, and this includes removing nests if it puts the animals, and especially babies at risk.

What Can You Do About Squirrel Nests?

If you have a squirrel nest in your yard, and you are unsure if it has babies in it, there are a few things you can do:

1. Wait to remove it. Watch the nest over the next few weeks, because baby squirrels grow up quickly, and once they’re out on their own, the nest is safe to remove.
2. Call a wildlife control or rehabilitation center. Hoo Haven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Durand is a great place to call if you absolutely need to have a squirrel nest removed from your yard safely. 

The moral of the story is this: spring cleanup in Illinois isn’t just about rakes and garbage bags, it's about wildlife safety and awareness too, so please be careful.