Red squirrels are protected in the UK, therefore, we cannot deal with infestations or issues relating to the red squirrel.
The grey squirrel was introduced to the Britain in the 19th Century and is a common sight in woodlands and gardens across Cleveland.
Contrary to what people believe, the grey squirrel did not deplete the numbers of red squirrel by killing their red cousin. The grey squirrel is bigger but is not thought to be aggressive toward the red squirrel. The native red squirrel species suffered a decline in its population in England and Wales as a result of illness. With the grey squirrel bigger and more robust, it out-competed the smaller red squirrel.
Why are squirrel infestations given an amber warning?
Although squirrels don’t present a threat to human health, they do gnaw through all kinds of materials.
Squirrels find their way into attics and roof spaces. These provide safe places for them to nest. But to create the nest, they constantly gnaw at the things around them – and that includes the wooden trusses that support to the roof to electrical cabling.
In a short space of time, the gnawing of electrical cables leads to a fire hazard and some wooden structures can become unsafe as a result of their constant gnawing.
Are squirrels more of a nuisance at certain times of the year?
The grey squirrel is mainly active during the day, building large, messy-looking nests in trees tops but with their breeding season twice a year – December to February and May to June – they may find the attic of a property an attractive option.
Why call The Pest Technician for squirrel problems?
It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2007 England and Wales to cause unnecessary suffering to an animal – and that includes pests like grey squirrels.
Grey squirrels must be lived trapped and then euthanised. It is an offence to release a grey squirrel or its young back into the wild. And the only people who can deal with grey squirrels that are within the law are pest controllers, vets and other animal welfare organisations such as the RSPCA.
As an experienced and professional pest controller, we take decisive action to remove grey squirrels from a property.
As well as removal, we also offer advice and further services to make sure that no other grey squirrel decides to take up residence in your attic, loft, outbuilding and so on.
