Squirrels

The grey squirrel is an import from the good old U.S of A. and can eat a super-sized meal in the American way. It does things bigger and better than its natural rival the red squirrel. Which is why in true American style it has taken over everywhere and caused a lot of trouble on the way. They look furry and cuddly, almost cute, and you may even be feeding them right up to the point when they get into your loft space and chew your wiring into shreds, play football above your head at four in the morning and remove every bulb you have lovingly planted in your garden.

Oh yes, they also damage millions of trees every year at vast expense to the Forestry Commission. I have one customer who spent £25,000 on his own personal arboretum, only to lose every tree to squirrels, ring barking the lot. Within a two acre garden I caught 60 squirrels over a period of three months.

Control can be exercised in a number of ways. Trapping, shooting and poisoning are the most common methods, although I should point out that with all three of these methods there are laws to be observed, so do not start blasting and throwing poison everywhere as you may end up having your collar felt.

Traps must be checked regularly. If you ask me to control your squirrels I will generally live trap them and dispatch them once caught. If you want to know more about the rules and regulations regarding the control of squirrels, it would be best to give me a call, as they are long winded to explain in writing but fairly simple to talk about.