Bookmark Google Digg Yahoo Reddit Delicious Techoranti  
Print page

Squirrel Problem

Squirrels are hardy creatures - once they move in it's hard to get them out. Give them the nudge with the right know-how.

Choose from the following list to find the advice you're looking for:

How do I identify a squirrel?

The squirrel population in the UK consists of the grey and red squirrel with greys outnumbering reds by 66:1.

Identification of the squirrel is made complicated as coat colour is not the best way to identify squirrels. In fact, the ears and tail are better guides for accurate recognition with each squirrel type having distinct physical features.

Red Squirrel

  • Key Features: Ear tufts on adults. Bushy tail all one colour.
  • Coat: Usually reddish-brown with a pale bib. Can be variable, appearing dark (sometimes almost black), or very light due to bleaching by the summer sun when they can appear blonde or greyish.
  • Size: 18 - 22 cm body length. Slender build. Weighs around 275-350g.
  • Behaviour: Spends most of its time in trees. Quite timid, rarely seen far from tree cover.

Grey Squirrel

  • Key Features: Tail has white edge like a halo. No ear tufts.
  • Coat: Predominantly grey. Very often tinged orange/red/brown along the body (particularly the back) and on the face.
  • Size: 25-27 cm body length. Stocky build. Weighs around 400 - 600g.
  • Behaviour: Quite bold and tenacious, frequently seen on the ground as well as in trees. Can be seen a distance from tree cover, in open ground.

Red squirrels begin mating during February-March and between June-July. Grey squirrels begin mating during December-January and May-June. Up to two litters a year per female are possible. Each litter usually contains three or four young although as many as six may be born.

The lifespan of the red squirrel is on average 3 years, although individuals may reach 7 years of age.

The lifespan of the female grey squirrel is between 4-6 years. Males can live between 2-3 years.

Back to Top

Where do squirrels live?

Grey squirrels are widespread throughout England and Wales and are common in local pockets in Scotland. They are absent from the rest of mainland Europe, except for small localised populations in Italy.

Red squirrels have largely been replaced by the grey squirrel in England, Wales and in local pockets in Italy. Its range is currently reduced to parts of Scotland, Northern England, Northern Ireland and scattered sites in Wales.

Outdoors

  • Woodland is best for most squirrels as trees provide plenty of food and shelter. Squirrels thrive with a mixture of foliage and good ground cover, with bulbs, fungi and berry-bearing bushes.
  • Grey Squirrels can adapt to the open and are commonly found in parks and gardens.

Indoors

  • Home for a squirrel is either a nest (drey) hidden in the high branches, or a den in a hollow tree. These provide shelter and a place to rear their young.
  • They are also known to get access to loft spaces when our roofs are in need of repair.
Back to Top

What do squirrels eat?

Squirrels' diet varies, depending on the season and what is available. They eat flowers, rose hips, shoots and bark. They may even rob nests in spring, taking both eggs and young birds.

However, their most important natural food is tree seed. Squirrels store seeds and nuts by burying them just below the surface of the soil. They make numerous caches with only a couple of nuts or seeds in each one. The squirrels' keen sense of smell helps them find these caches when food is scarce.

Back to Top

What attracts squirrels?

Like most animals, squirrels are attracted to food, especially a ready supply. Feeding a squirrel is not recommended as word soon gets around the squirrel world and within two weeks you have six or more squirrels coming to your house to be fed.

Also they tend to bury a few nuts for future use and when they dig up a nut they do not mind leaving a mess. You can expect to find your lawn looking like a ploughed field.

Bird feeders attract large numbers of squirrels and their agility and dexterity means squirrel-proofing them is extremely difficult. Temporary measures include:

  • Putting grease or oil on poles sometimes prevents squirrels from climbing.
  • Enclosing the entire feeder in a wire cage that denies access to squirrels, but allows birds in.
Back to Top

How do I know if I have a squirrel problem?

Apart from all the noise these critters make, squirrels can leave behind a trail of destruction, whether it is your lawn, woodwork or electrical wiring. Squirrels in nature will strip bark from twigs and eat it, they can do the same with wiring and may have stripped insulation from electrical cables in your attic.

Also look out for:

  • Drays of twigs, leaves and torn up insulation in your loft space;
  • Droppings - vary in shape and colour but may be spherical or more elongated. These are easily confused with those of the Brown Rat;
Back to Top

Are squirrels harmful?

Opinion varies. While some say squirrels may carry plague or other animal-borne diseases, others claim squirrels do not carry any diseases which can be harmful to humans.

The best thing to do is not to take any chances. Avoid physical contact with the animal where possible. If you need to handle the squirrel then wear suitable protective gloves.

Back to Top

What should I do if I am bitten by a squirrel?

The most common type of squirrel bite is a result of feeding a squirrel by hand. Never hold the food between your fingers, chances are very good you will be bitten.

Grey squirrels can bite if they are cornered or frightened. If you do get bitten it may be wise to seek medical advice in case it is decided that you need an injection against tetanus.

If you are bitten by a squirrel, seek medical attention immediately.

Back to Top

How can I prevent having squirrels in my home?

The best cure, as always, is prevention. The RSPCA advise the use of strong wire netting with a mesh size no larger than 25mm to block any access holes, plus repair to any slipped slates, rotten soffits or missing bricks etc. to prevent access.

Squirrels can invade lofts where they may cause problems by chewing electrical wires or wooden joists or by leaving droppings. If the squirrels have already gained entry, it is essential to ensure there are no squirrels remaining in the loft before access is blocked.

In such cases the aim should be to capture the grey squirrels in the roof space and then humanely despatch them.

Cage trapping and proofing are the methods normally recommended for use in roof spaces.

Back to Top

How can I prevent having squirrels in my garden?

Problems in the garden are more annoying than dangerous. Many squirrel proof feeders are sold to prevent them from raiding the bird feeder, and some bird seed supplements contain pepper additives that are distasteful to squirrels, and harmless to both. Other products based upon the smell deterrence principle are also available.

Bulbs can be protected with wire mesh or an inverted wire basket firmly staked to the ground. The plants can grow up through the mesh but can't be unearthed.

Back to Top

How do I get rid of squirrels?

There is no magic spray or device that you can use to make them go away. The one and only way to take care of your problem is with trapping and removal of the animals.

Lethal control of squirrels is permitted but should only be carried out by qualified professional pest control officers. It is a specialist job to treat for squirrels requiring specific knowledge in order to carry out the work safely and comply with legal requirements.

Back to Top

Does the Council remove squirrels for free?

Most councils don't treat squirrel infestations, so you'll need to call in a professional Pest Controller.

Back to Top

How much does it cost to remove squirrels professionally?

When looking for a professional removal of your squirrel infestation, bear in mind that not all services offer a fixed and convenient time for solving the problem. Some council services will lend you the equipment (for a fee) so you can catch the squirrel yourself.

  • Local Council (excluding free service) - expect to pay around £25.00 - £55.00
  • Private Firms - expect to pay around £60.00 - £90.00.
Back to Top