We often see cute squirrels gracefully roaming around our woodland areas jumping from branch to branch and seemingly causing no harm. However, do not be fooled by their cute and innocent exterior- they can be one of the most destructive pests when they invade our human environment. You may have heard some suspicious rustling in your attic or loft space, or perhaps you have experienced unusual power shortages as they gnaw on your electrical wires. If this sounds like you, then it’s time to call Defender Pest Control- we can provide a one stop solution for any squirrel infestation and effective preventative measures to stop any future invasions!
Types of Squirrel
In the UK there are two main types of squirrel- the Grey Squirrel and the Red Squirrel. Both squirrels differ greatly in their characteristics, and it is the grey Squirrel that causes the most problems for humans. Grey squirrels often chew their ways into people’s loft spaces to build nests whilst on the lookout for food sources and a safe place to shelter.
Grey Squirrel
Grey squirrels are not native to the UK, they originated in North America and were brought to the UK during the Victorian era. They are invasive creatures and are not a rare sight in the UK. They are a common feature in areas of woodland across the country, woodland areas are the perfect environment for grey squirrels as they can strip bark off beech, oak, and chestnut trees and have easy access to bird nests. Grey squirrels can wreak havoc on our woodland areas- their gnawing on trees can eventually lead to weakening of the trees and ultimately causing trees to die. They raid bird nests for the eggs and fledglings, and they can cause great annoyance when they enter orchards and gardens as they eat tree nuts and newly sown seeds.
Red Squirrel
Red squirrels are native to the UK and they provide a stark contrast to the grey squirrel. They are an incredibly rare sight, and their population has been on a steady decrease for many years. Red squirrels are a protected species due to their rapid decline in population, it is estimated that there are only 140,000 red squirrels left in the UK with a comparable 2.5 million grey squirrel species. Due to their spareness red squirrels rarely cause problems for humans and inhabit only a select few areas of the UK. It has been well researched that the decrease in red squirrel population is directly linked to the introduction of grey squirrels. When grey squirrels were brought to the UK they not only competed with red squirrels for shelter and food, but they also transmit the squirrelpox virus which is deadly for red squirrels and can kill them in as little as 2 weeks.
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Prevention
As with any pest prevention is key to escape any unwanted intruders. Below are some of our top tips to prevent squirrels invading your property:
- Making sure any entry points to your roof are fully proofed. It is best to use metal plates or tightly wedged mesh (squirrels are determined little creatures and can pull out less secure proofing materials). Here, at Defender Pest Control we can provide robust, effective and guarantee proofing materials to prevent any infestations for years to come. (These are included as part of our service after we treat any squirrel infestation you may have)
- Cutting back any trees/branches or dense ivy surrounding your property can prevent squirrels gaining access to your roof in the first place.
- If you are seeking to protect your trees from invasive squirrel activity you can fit close metal sleeves around the tree. They should be at least 0.75m deep and the bottom edge should be at least 1.5m from the ground. The metal should be smooth, so the squirrel is unable to grab hold.
