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| Pest Control in London Stratford East Ham Barking Hackney | info@cleanedritepestcontrol.co.uk |
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| Pest Control in London Stratford East Ham Barking Hackney | info@cleanedritepestcontrol.co.uk |
Grey squirrels
Latin
Name: Sciuris carolinensis
Months of Activity: January - December
Facts about grey
squirrels
Grey squirrels are not native to Britain - they were introduced to this
country from America between 1876 and 1929
Grey squirrels are now common throughout England and Wales
The disappearance of native red squirrels coincided with the arrival of
grey squirrels
Opinion differs as to whether grey squirrels were responsible for the
disappearance of red squirrels or whether red squirrels disappeared
through loss of habitat and disease and grey squirrels simply filled the
empty space
Grey squirrels have a grey back and tail with a white belly, their
flanks are sometimes reddish. During the summer the coat may appear
brown
They are about 45 centimetres long, including 22.5 centimetres tail, and
weigh 450-650 grams
They reach maturity at 10-12 months and can have 3-4 litters a year with
usually 3 young per litter. Average life span is 2 years
Grey squirrels eat fruits, nuts, cereals, flowers, tree bark and shoots
and occasionally feed on bird eggs and insects. They bury surplus food
2-5 centimetres below the soil or in tree hollows in scattered sites
Contrary to popular belief grey squirrels do not hibernate during the
winter but they may become less active
Grey squirrel problems
Grey squirrels are most likely to cause problems when they gain access
to roof spaces via building defects. Once they have gained access
squirrels can cause damage to roof timbers, electrical wiring and
plumbing
Grey squirrels are serious pests to forestry plantations where they
cause damage by stripping bark from tree trunks. This may also be a
problem in parks
Problems can also be caused to gardeners, allotment holders and market
gardeners, as grey squirrels will take cereals, fruit and vegetables
Grey squirrels and the law
The Grey Squirrels (Prohibition of Importation and Keeping) Order 1937
makes it an offence to release live-trapped grey squirrels. The
Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 makes it an offence to intentionally
inflict unnecessary suffering on any wild mammal
Grey squirrels may be shot but it is an offence to use a firearm close
to a highway or near inhabited properties
Approved spring traps (rapid kill) may be used. These must be checked
daily and must not be used where domestic or protected animals may gain
access to them. Rat/Mice traps must not be used
What you can do
Keep your property in good repair so that a squirrel cannot gain access
to the roof space
If a squirrel does gain access to your roof space take action as soon as
possible. Enter the roof space from inside the property so that the
squirrel exits via the hole. The hole may then be blocked, make sure
this is done securely as squirrels can be very determined. Squirrels
will normally leave easily but may become protective if they have young
