Squirrels

Squirrels are smal rodents belonging to the Sciuridae family, which includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, and flying squirrels. They are found all over the world, except in Australia and Antarctica. These agile creatures are known for their bushy tails, sharp claws, and remarkable climbing abilities.

Squirrels may seem cute and harmless as they scurry through parks and woodlands, but when they invade your home, they can become a real nuisance. We will discuss the various aspects of squirrels, and why they can be considered a pest.

 Squirrels in the UK

The UK is home to two main species of squirrel, the native red squirrel and the invasive grey squirrel

Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)

Red squirrels have a slender body that measures 19cm-23cm in length. Despite its name, their fur comes in many different colours—red, dark brown, and black. Coat colour may vary depending on the season and location. Red squirrels have a long, furry tail. The pelage on the belly is always white. They have sharp, curved claws and rodent teeth patterns.

Gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)

The Gray squirrel is the other type of squirrel in the UK. It is slightly larger than its ginger relative. The body reaches 23-30cm in length. Like the red squirrel, it has distinctly shaped incisors, curved claws, and furry tails. The common pelage coating is grey in colour, yet white and black fur colours are not uncommon, especially in urban areas.

 Are squirrels pests?

Grey squirrels are often classified as pests in the UK because they cause damage to property, trees, and even native wildlife. They gnaw on wires, invade lofts, and strip bark from trees, leading to structural and ecological problems. Due to their destructive nature, they are subject to control measures.

Red squirrels, on the other hand, are a protected species in the UK and are not considered vermin. Their population has declined significantly due to habitat loss and competition from invasive grey squirrels. Killing, trapping, or disturbing red squirrels is illegal without proper authorisation.

So, while grey squirrels are widely regarded as pests, red squirrels are a vulnerable species that need conservation efforts rather than pest control.

 Habits

Both the red and grey squirrels are solitary for the majority of their lives, although they do exhibit some social traits. Communal nesting is popular for both species during winter and spring, and some grey squirrels are known to share nests.

Both species make their homes in sparsely forested regions. You may encounter them in recreational areas and parks. As mentioned, they also nest inside homes and garages. This is one of the main reasons they are considered pests.

Squirrel’s incisors never stop growing. This helps them maintain a diet high on hard nuts and seeds. When faced with hunger, squirrels can eat snakes, eggs, and small insects. In the wild, tree squirrels rarely live longer than a year. In captivity, they can reach the age of up to 20 years.

 Damages caused by squirrels

Once a squirrel takes residence in your premises, it can be very hard to get rid of it. Once inside, it considers your property as its own and turns it into a nest. Squirrels are particularly stubborn when it comes to their dwellings. They don’t fear scarecrows, flashing lights, and loud noises and are often protective. They can also gnaw cables, insulation, frameworks, and other components of your buildings.

Grey squirrels also cause widespread blackouts. As their teeth grow constantly, they need to grind them on hard surfaces. Sometimes they chew on power lines, which can cause a short circuit and knock out power. Sometimes they jump directly on power lines which can as well cause a power shortage. Squirrels can also cause small structural damage to the buildings. Although relatively clean animals (especially when compared to other rodents), they are messy eaters and can scatter food debris around. They also leave teeth and claw marks on walls, furniture, and wooden components.

 Signs of squirrels

If you suspect these little critters have invaded your home or loft, look out for these key squirrels signs:

• Squirrels who nest inside buildings are usually noisy and rarely fear humans.
• They also go outside their nest on a frequent basis to feed.
• If you observe a squirrel entering or leaving an opening on your facade, you might want to check for a possible nest in your attic.
• You may also observe gnaw damage.

If you notice these signs, prompt action is necessary to prevent further damage.

 How to get rid of squirrels

If squirrels have become a nuisance, it’s important to use humane and effective methods to get rid of them.

1. Remove food sources – Any birds seeds, food leftovers

2. Remove tree libs within 2,5-3m from the roof – This will prevent squirrels from access to your roof.

3. Block the entrance to the habitat – Simply wait for it to go outside for food and block the passageway or the entry point.

4. Live traps – You can locate the path of entry and put a squirrel trap on the way. If you are inexperienced with this method, you can hire professional squirrel pest control.

Important note: Red squirrels are a protected species under UK law. If you suspect red squirrels are causing issues, contact a wildlife conservation organisation for advice.

Squirrels as pets

In recent years many people opt for a squirrel pet. They are cute, clean and playful. Still, they are hard to look after. A squirrel needs a large cage with enough space to climb and jump. It also needs at least 2 hours a day outside the cage. The pet owner must provide a healthy varied diet—sunflower seeds, peanuts, acorns, fresh vegetables. Squirrels also need a good source of calcium to gnaw and grind their teeth on. The best solutions are deer antlers or bovine bones.

Unlike other rodent pets, squirrels are extremely clean. They frequently groom themselves and keep their nest clean and tidy. Their droppings are also easy to take care of—they are small, cylindrical and hard, and do not emit any unpleasant odours. Still, squirrels like to make a mess while eating. Feeding outside the cage is not recommended.

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