Depending on the species and area, there are various laws in the UK regarding the control of squirrel populations.
Red squirrels, the only squirrel species native to the United Kingdom, are listed as "Near Threatened" in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. They inhabit deciduous and coniferous forests and are distinguished by their red to russet fur, ear tufts, and long, fluffy tails. Although they are still frequently seen in Scotland, since the introduction of the American grey squirrel species in the 1870s, their population has drastically decreased in other parts of the United Kingdom.
Red squirrels are frequently killed by a disease that grey squirrels carry but which has no effect on their health. Because the grey squirrel is more likely to consume green acorns, it will eliminate this food source before the red squirrels can consume the ripe acorns. Over the past century, the loss of woodland has also had an impact on numbers, as has traffic and other predators. Due to all of these factors, red squirrels will not reproduce as frequently, which will accelerate their decline.
The highly adaptive grey squirrel is an invasive species that has greatly outnumbered the red squirrel. Because of their destructive nature, which causes them to raid bird nests, steal nuts and seeds left in gardens to attract birds, and strip bark off trees, they are regarded as pests in woodland areas.
If need be, grey squirrels can be trapped. On the other hand, it is against the law to release a captured grey squirrel back into the wild; instead, they must be humanely killed. It is forbidden to demolish or injure a red squirrel's shelter while it is in use. Professional pest control can identify the species of squirrels you believe to be a problem on your property and can offer you the best advice and course of action.
In order to survive the winter, squirrels stockpile food in secure places like the lofts of residential and commercial buildings. Because there isn't many safe places to stay during the winter, they frequently relocate into the lofts of houses, commercial buildings, and agricultural structures. When you try to remove them, they may become aggressive and cause damage to your property from their gnawing.
Audible signs of a squirrel infestation on your property include loud noises coming from the roof or garage, as well as scratching and gnawing. Additional indicators may include destroyed garden plants, gnawed tree bark, squirrel droppings, tiny divots in your lawn (which squirrels use to conceal nuts), nests in neighbouring trees, and an overall increase in sightings in gardens and the area surrounding your house or place of business.
Once inside your house or place of business, squirrels gnaw through everything they can find to construct their nests, which may include paper goods, insulation, linens, and fabrics. Anything kept in your loft may also be destroyed. Chewing through beams could jeopardise the structural stability of your property, and gnawing through cables can result in blackouts and electrical fires.
Properties with readily available food sources, like seeds left out for birds, draw squirrels. They gain access to properties through tiny gaps in your property as well as bridges to your roof made of close trees and washing lines. Speak with AJ Pest Control, and they will assist you in identifying the type of squirrels you are dealing with, determining the best way to handle them, and putting preventative measures in place to lessen the likelihood that the issue will recur in the future.
