Grey Squirrels  – Pest Control

Our preferred method of control is poison free trapping wherever possible.

The grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) was introduced into Great Britain in the 1870s. The population of these pests have spread rapidly ever since and are now throughout most of England and Wales and in south-east and central Scotland. Grey squirrels can cause serious problems for foresters, native wildlife and gamekeepers. They strip the bark from tree trunks during the months of May and June. In spring, they take eggs, young chicks and can be devastating for songbird and ground-nesting bird populations. They damage hoppers, feed bins, water pipes and can cause serious and costly shoot management problems.

The female can have two litters a year, in early spring and summer. Young squirrels are born blind and hairless, in litters of 3-4, after a gestation of 44 days. They often take residence in the loft space of houses having gained access via a lifted roof tile or more often by gnawing through the soffit board. Once inside your loft they generally gnaw at your electric cables and water pipes giving rise to the risk of fire and flooding. Grey squirrels have only limited legal protection and can be controlled all year round by a variety of methods including shooting and trapping. It is an offence under section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) to introduce and release grey squirrels into the wild. Under the provisions of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 any person responsible for a squirrel trap would only be responsible for any animal caught by it, not its offspring still in the wild. Under the act, it is an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to a kept animal (this includes live caught animals).

Methods of Control

Live cage trapping

Live cage traps, either single or multi-catch, involve attracting squirrels to a trap with a bait (food). These can be used in the same way as spring traps. Set them at the base of trees and cover them with logs. It is best to pre-bait these traps, leaving the entrances open so that the squirrels can run freely for a few days before setting. The density of traps required depends on whether single or multi- capture traps are used.

Single traps should be spaced 75-125m apart, multi-traps 150-200m apart, to prevent the greys seeing other greys caught in these traps. In areas where it is difficult to draw squirrels to the ground – for example, pine mixtures, or where traps are disturbed by badgers, deer or wild boar – it may be necessary to site traps on platforms on the trees.

Grey Squirrel

Shooting

Shooting of grey squirrels can be a very effective method of control, especially in early spring when young shoots are showing in trees. On a sunny day grey squirrels will work in the outmost branches of a tree, chewing the new shoots and can present an easy target. A shotgun or powerful air rifle is suitable for this form of control but remember, as with all shooting, assess your background before taking any shot. If in doubt, don’t shoot.

Drey Poking

At different times of the year the control of squirrels can take different forms. With the leaf off the trees, winter is a good time for shooting. Drey poking can be effective, especially on cold winter days,. A team of four, with two working the poles and two covering the tree, can spend a day clearing a lot of dreys in a wood. When all the dreys are cleared from a wood in winter, it becomes easy to spot new ones made in the summer.
This method is only one part of a fully effective control programme, as grey squirrels killed at this time of the year will often be replaced by others before the summer.

Tunnel trapping using spring traps

Spring traps are a very useful tool in catching squirrels. Set correctly, these traps will effectively catch squirrels moving between trees. Look for the signs of squirrel movement; a common sight is the flat circle around the base of the tree where squirrels run around sometimes chasing each other.

The law and best practice requires you to:-

  • Use the appropriate approved spring trap for your quarry.
  • Enclose your trap within a natural or artificial tunnel
  • Firmly anchor your trap
  • Check your traps at least once a day.

Disposal of carcasses

Grey squirrels which have been shot can be eaten. However, if you don’t intend to do this, we would bury the carcass or have it incinerated. Any carcasses showing signs of squirrel pox virus (scabs around eyes, nose, mouth and feet) should be sent to the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) for investigation. Gloves should be worn when handling potentially infected animals.


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** Shropshire Pest Prevention Services Ltd provide professional  pest control, pest removal and extermination services across Shropshire, The Severn Valley, Wyre Forest – Worcestershire and the West Midlands.  Areas we cover include Bridgnorth, Wolverhampton, Kidderminster, Highley, Much Wenlock, Ironbridge, Telford, Stourport, Broseley, Coalport, Dawley, Shifnal, Albrighton,  Cleobury Mortimer, Ludlow, Craven Arms, Kinver, Stourbridge, Bewdley, Coalport and more.