Do you have cute little animals in your backyard that you enjoy watching as they chase each other around the tree branches and hop along the fence, occasionally sitting up to look around at their beautiful environment? You might even get the urge to cuddle them since they appear so lovable.

Or do you have awful little pests that eat your homegrown fruit, including figs, grapes, walnuts, persimmons, kiwi, cucumbers and tomatoes? Do they dig holes in the ground to store nuts, eat all of your bird seed, make messes on your patio, eat through the roof of your garden shed to gain access to some bird seed, or generally just make nuisances of themselves?

Both descriptions apply to the same creature: the squirrel.

Although we don’t like to think of them as such, squirrels are members of the rodent family. Perhaps it’s the fluffy, bushy tail that allows us to distinguish them in our minds from rats and mice. The word squirrel comes from the Greek word for shadow tailed, because squirrels use their tails to shade their bodies.

Squirrels cannot digest plant cellulose, so their diet consists mainly of foods high in protein, carbohydrate and fat. Nuts are an ideal food for them. But once their buried nuts begin to sprout in the spring and are no longer tasty, these creatures have a difficult time finding food. They will then resort to eating the buds of trees and plants.

As you may have noticed in your own garden, squirrels typically consume a wide variety of foods, including nuts, seeds, fruits, fungi and some types of green vegetation. They have also been known to eat insects, small birds, young snakes and smaller rodents if they get hungry enough.

Their cleverness is readily apparent. They dig holes in planting pots to reach the bulbs they love to chew on. They steal the seed out of bird feeders. They bury food in the ground, or find crevices in roof eaves to store food. Their sharp teeth provide access to many places that we might normally consider “squirrel proof.” They will even chew on the insulation of wiring as a food source.

Carefully sealing your shed, garage or house will usually keep them out, but check regularly for chewing marks if you have a squirrel problem.

The female squirrel typically has one litter a year, consisting of three to four young. One aspect of the mating ritual, which you may have observed, is an extended chase, mostly among tree branches. The young are born in around 40 days, and they reach full body size in about four months.

If you consider squirrels a pest on your property, you may want to investigate methods for control. Some people resort to shooting them or putting out rat poison. But there are more humane approaches.

One idea is to contact a humane animal removal company. They set traps and remove the squirrels to a remote location. You can find these companies online or in a telephone directory.

Another method is to use a safe repellent. The squirrel’s most feared enemy is the fox. So fox urine makes a great deterrent. Sprays or bottles of the urine can be disbursed in your garden, or pellets containing the urine can be buried in the ground. Check hardware stores or online sources for these products.

Whether you enjoy watching squirrels or prefer to bid them good riddance, you’ll have to admit that they are cute little creatures. If only we could figure out how to have them around without having to tolerate their bad behavior.

Free Workshop:  Early winter is the best time to plant bare-root fruit trees, the least expensive way to purchase them. Napa County Master Gardeners will hold a free workshop called “All About Fruit Trees: Selection and Planting” on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9:30-11:30 a.m., at Napa Valley College’s Upper Valley Campus, 1088 College Ave., St. Helena.

The workshop will be repeated on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9:30-11:30 a.m., at the UC Cooperative Extension, 1710 Soscol Ave., Napa. You will learn planting techniques, what to look for at the nursery, and what characteristics to consider in your decision. This workshop is the first in a three-part series. Reservations are recommended; call 253-4221.

 Napa County Master Gardeners  http://cenapa.ucdavis.edu) answer gardening questionsMonday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to noon, at the UC Cooperative Extension office, 1710 Soscol Ave., Suite 4, Napa, 253-4221, or 877-279-3065.