The Grey Squirrel was introduced
into Britain in the latter part of the 19th century from North
America. Since then it has spread throughout most of England and
Wales.
Telephone: (023) 9244 6017
Email: customer.services@havant.gov.uk
Visit: Customer Services reception in the
atrium of the Public Service Plaza, Civic Centre Road, Havant PO9
2AX
Biology
Squirrels normally build nests (or dreys) of leaves and twigs
in the forks of trees and may also use hollow trees as dens. The
roof spaces of house can also provide a suitable refuge.
There are two breeding seasons a year, the first litters being
born in February and March and weaned after 10 weeks. Second
litters are born in June and July leaving the nest in August and
September.
Grey Squirrels will eat a wide variety of items including
nuts, fruit, buds, birds' eggs and nestlings. In suburban gardens
much of their diet comes from food deliberately put out for them.
Surplus food is often buried for retrieval at a later date.
The presence of squirrels can often be identified from
sightings, dreys, gnawed nuts and stripped bark. Noises from the
roof space and gnawed fascia boards may often be signs of
squirrels.
Prevention Methods
Where squirrels enter the roof spaces, the potential cost of
repairs justifies the expense of proofing to exclude them, for
example, by blocking gaps and entrance holes with wire netting.
Proofing measures must be tailored to the specific site and the
determination, ingenuity and sharp teeth of the squirrel should not
be underestimated.
Proofing is a specialised task and serious infestations may
need the assistance of specialist firms - see the Yellow Pages etc.
under Pest Control.
Control Measures
Squirrels may legally be destroyed by several methods
including shooting, trapping and poisoning. Trapping and poisoning
are controlled by legislation which limits the types of traps and
how they may be used; poisons are similarly controlled.
The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 prohibits the release of
captive animals back into the wild. Squirrels poisoned in roof
spaces are prone to die in inaccessible places, making recovery of
carcasses difficult and leading to problems of smell and
flies.
The best way to minimise problems caused by squirrels is
proofing to exclude them by blocking gaps and entrance holes with
wire netting. However this may entail significant cost.
Final advice
The problems caused by squirrels are minimised if they are
prevented from entering the roof spaces of houses. The cost of
proofing can be significant and must be borne by the householder
and possibly undertaken by a specialist contractor. Proofing
measures render destruction unnecessary and avoid creating an
ecological vacuum which will soon be refilled by incoming
squirrels.
Telephone: (023) 9244 6017
Email: customer.services@havant.gov.uk
Visit: Customer Services reception in the
atrium of the Public Service Plaza, Civic Centre Road, Havant PO9
2AX