Description
There are two species of squirrel in Great Britain. The
Red Squirrel, which is confined to Scotland and the Grey Squirrel
(sciurus carolinensis) which is found all over the country.
The adult Grey Squirrel weighs approximately 275 g, has a body
height of approximately 25 cm and a tail length of approximately 20
cm.
Biology and Habitat
The grey squirrel was deliberately introduced to Britain from
North America over a hundred years ago. Since then it has
spread throughout most of mainland England and Wales. The
squirrel traditionally lives in a drey - built of twigs and leaves
in the forks of trees. The drey is used for shelter and for
breeding. There are two breeding seasons in a year, the first
litters are born in February and March after a gestation period of
about 45 days. The young are weaned at about ten weeks
old. The second litters are born in June and July, leaving
the nest in August and September. The average litter size is
three to four young. The young squirrel is sexually mature at
about nine months, so the spring litter become reproductively
active in late December and January.
Importance
The most serious damage in urban areas arises where the squirrel
enters the roof spaces of houses by climbing the walls or jumping
from nearby trees. Once inside, they chew woodwork, ceilings,
insulation on electrical wiring or tear up the loft insulation to
form a drey. The noise nuisance from a litter of squirrels
can cause many sleepless nights. They are also a pest in the
garden - they raid fruit crops, bird feeders and can cause damage
to trees by stripping the bark, which often results in the
weakening of young shoots and a misshapen tree.
Squirrels can carry a variety of diseases, but they are only
transmittable to other squirrels.
Control
The best method of control is to proof the building/loft.
Prevention is better than cure. This is the best advice a
pest control officer can give anyone who has a problem (this goes
for all pests). If a cure is required the best form of
control is trapping with the use of a Kania Squirrel
trap.
Safety
All pesticides used by Bath & North East Somerset Council
are approved substances under the Control of Pesticides Regulations
1986 and are fully risk assessed.
