Question
We live in Ocala Fl. and are over run with squirels. I have trapped them and shot them without affecting their numbers.  What is the gestation period of these pests?

Answer
I trust you have learned that squirrel control is legal in your state.

Gestation for gray squirrels is 44 days. But I don't think reproduction is your primary problem, although it is an issue.

Here are some things you need to think about.

1. Are there food sources drawing squirrels to your area? Bird feeders that haven't been modified?

2. Are you killing them fast enough? A squirrel every week probably isn't fast enough as more will move in from the surrounding area.

3. If you are trapping and relocating, (I hope not) then if you aren't moving them 10 miles as the crow flies or less over a major natural or unnatural barrier like a river or super highway, then you may just be seeing them return.  

It is not uncommon for people to underestimate numbers. You have to remove squirrels in your property but reduce the numbers of the squirrels that move in from the surrounding properties which may take several weeks of adjusting until you have lowered the population to a level you can tolerate.

4. If your toleration is zero squirrels then things are not looking good for the future. You need to make sure your tolerable level of squirrel densities is actually practical. 2 to 3 per acre is probably the lowest limit you can reasonably expect.

Control techniques can be found at http://icwdm.org