Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)

Please note we do not carry out squirrel treatments between 1 April to 30 September, due to the breeding season.

The most serious damage in urban areas arises where squirrels enter the roof spaces of houses and other buildings by climbing the walls or jumping from nearby trees. Once inside they gnaw woodwork, strip the insulation from electrical wiring, tear up fibreglass insulation to form a drey and sometimes drown in cold water storage tanks. Lead flashing is also vulnerable to damage from squirrels.

In the garden they take fruit such as strawberries, apples and plums: raid the nests of small birds and dig holes in lawns to bury food. They frequently raid bird tables and nut feeders, an activity which is welcomed by some householders but causes extreme annoyance to others. If they succeed in gnawing through the string holding nut feeders or coconuts these are carried off.

In parks and woodland they damage trees, particularly sycamore and beech, by stripping bark. This can often result in the weakening or death of leading branches resulting in a misshapen and diseased tree.

Where squirrels are entering roof spaces the potential cost of the damage justifies the expense of proofing to exclude them physically, for example, by blocking gaps and entrance holes with tightly wedged wire netting. Proofing measures must be tailored to a specific site and the determination, ingenuity and sharp teeth of the squirrel should not be underestimated. We can advise and also proof roof spaces after we have cleared squirrels from the roof space.

For further information please click on this link to go to DEFRA's Guidance Notes on Urban Grey Squirrels.