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.
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.
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.
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.
All pesticides used by Bath & North East Somerset Council are approved substances under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 and are fully risk assessed.