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We are Tempe Wildlife, and we solve conflicts between people and wild animals. From squirrels in your attic, to raccoons in your trash, to bats, rats, birds, and snakes, we do it all. We specialize in safe and effective solutions to Arizona critter problems. We service the greater Tempe region, and we offer fast service - we can usually schedule a same-day appointment. Give us a call at 602-490-0255 any time, 24/7, and we will discuss your unique wild animal problem, and give you a free price quote over the phone. We're ready to take your call now!

Our service range: We service Gila County, Pinal County, La Paz County, Pima County, Yavapai County, Yuma County, and more. We also service Chandler, Glendale, Phoenix, Peoria, Tolleson,, El Mirage, Avondale, Goodyear, Buckeye, Litchfield Park, Surprise, and more.

Tempe Wildlife Education: Do Squirrels Bite?

Most people enjoy watching the antics of squirrels as they scamper about and run up and down tree trunks. It’s fun to feed them, too. But do you need to be careful with squirrels? Yes! They are wild animals. Most, if not all, wild animals will defend themselves whenever they feel threatened, whether or not the threat is real. Your friendly gesture may be perceived as a threat to a frightened squirrel.



Feeding the Squirrels
National parks and other similar places usually have signs that warn against feeding the wild animals. They don’t want them to become dependent on humans for food. But if you live in a place where you have squirrels in your own yard, it won’t hurt to feed them if you so choose. Just be sure you feed them foods that they normally eat. They love junk food, but it isn’t any better for squirrels than it is for people. If you want to feed a squirrel out of your hand, hold your hand out flat with the food in the center of your hand. This will prevent the squirrel from inadvertently biting you. Don’t hold the food between your fingers. Squirrels’ eyes are on either side of their head, making it difficult to see what’s at the tip of their nose. A squirrel may mistake your finger for a morsel of food and bite it. If there is more than one squirrel trying to eat from your hand, they can squabble over the food and your finger(s) may be a casualty of war.

Squirrel Attacks
Rarely will a squirrel deliberately attack and bite a human. It has been known to happen, though. One story is of a rescued squirrel that had been abused by people and subsequently attacked its rescuer. There are far fewer reported squirrel bits than there are dog bites or even human bites (one person biting another).

What to Do if You’re Bitten
If you do get bitten by a squirrel, wash the bite area thoroughly under running water for about a minute. If it isn’t a serious bite, put disinfectant on it and keep an eye on it. If it is more serious, you should see a doctor. You may even need stitches if it’s bad enough. It is extremely rare for a squirrel to infect a person with rabies, but if the squirrel acts sick, seek medical help right away.

Previous Education Articles
Will the Tempe animal services help me with a skunk issue?
Do relocated Tempe rodents survive?
What is a Tempe opossum's natural diet, and how does it get its food?
Do wild Tempe animals have emotions?