RELEASING GREY SQUIRRELS
It is illegal to release or allow a grey squirrel to escape back into the wild once captured.
It is illegal to possess or transport a live grey squirrel without a licence.
The relocation of grey squirrels can spread diseases from one area to another. Do not be tempted to do it as anyone caught could be faced with a heavy fine!
THE GREY SQUIRREL -
Grey squirrels are native to North America. Their natural home being the entire eastern half of the USA and a part of Canada.
The British grey squirrel population originates from deliberate introductions between 1876 and 1929. They spread with such rapidity and proved so destructive that keeping and releasing grey squirrels was made illegal in 1938.
Grey squirrels are now very widespread and have become a serious pest in the British Isles and many other countries where they have been released.
GREY SQUIRREL CONTROL
GREY SQUIRREL -
GREY SQUIRREL DAMAGE
Grey squirrels are responsible for £millions damage to ancient forests, new woodland, parks, gardens and property. They cause damage to the fabric of buildings and are increasingly entering lofts where they ruin insulation and may gnaw electric cables and cause fires.
In market gardens, grey squirrels have caused havoc with computer controlled irrigation systems when they gnawed through plastic water pipes.
THE GREY SQUIRRELS’ AFFECT ON WILDLIFE
The import of the grey squirrel has proved to be an ecological disaster. Each year millions of songbirds’ eggs and young are taken by grey squirrels. A report by Prof. Roy Brown of University of London estimates that in areas with high densities of grey squirrels, up to 93 per cent of small birds’ nests are raided.
The grey squirrels’ ability to live at higher densities is responsible for driving
out the native red squirrel -
DEALING WITH PROBLEM GREY SQUIRRELS
You may legally destroy grey squirrels if they are damaging your property, trees or crops, but only by employing approved humane methods.
You may set traps for grey squirrels but you must take all reasonable precautions to avoid catching, injuring or killing fully or partly protected wild creatures such as hedgehogs and birds, which practice is illegal.
APPROVED GREY SQUIRREL TRAPS
ELGEECO SQUIRREL TRAP AND BIRD FEEDER
A live catch cage trap that is set on a tree trunk or fence. This is a very effective trap that is safe and easy to use.
KANIA 2000 SPRING TRAP
Relatively easy and safe for the user to set. The powerful spring provides a high certainty of killing.
MK4 and MK6 FENN SPRING TRAP
A very popular trap with professionals. The powerful springs might make some amateur users nervous when setting!
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