Grey Squirrels

“Voracious grey squirrel is the greatest

threat to song birds”

“Grey squirrels are responsible for almost

wiping out their native red cousins”

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Grey squirrels were brought to Britain from the United States in the late 1800s.  They carry a disease called the parapoxvirus which is fatal to our native red squirrel.  This and the greys’ ability to live at higher densities is responsible for almost wiping out their indigenous red cousins.

A report by Prof Roy Brown of Birkbeck, University of London, estimates that in areas with high densities of grey squirrels. 93 per cent of small bird nests are raided by grey squirrels.  He estimates that overall, some 180 million adult birds, or their eggs and young are killed by alien animals - chiefly grey squirrels - every year.

Grey squirrels are responsible for £millions damage to our ancient forests, new woodland, parks, gardens and property.  They enter building lofts where they may gnaw electric cables and cause fires.

A farmer in South Africa is now using the Elgeeco squirrel trap - invented and manufactured in the UK - to control grey squirrels.  A spokesman for the farm said: “The animals are causing havoc with our computerized irrigation system by gnawing through the plastic pipes.  The Elgeeco squirrel trap is selective and does not catch all the other critters that run around the farm.”

Grey Squirrels © 2009