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How would you know you have a squirrel problem?

Squirrels can become a serious problem when they take residence in a loft space. They will make a tremendous amount of noise and usually are much more destructive than rats or mice. They will enter loft spaces to breed or take shelter. A male squirrel will have several drays (nests) with his territory – sometimes they are in trees but buildings make safe, warmer and drier alternatives. Squirrels are often pests in gardens and can do damage to trees, plants, bulbs and eat birds eggs and young birds. Pest ID can treat both of these problems for you.

They’re so cute, why should squirrels be treated?

A lot of damage can happen when squirrels make an entrance into a loft space, they can cause structural damage by tearing up loft insulation for bedding, chewing pipe work, timbers and stored items. Most frightening is they pose a fire hazard by stripping insulation from electrical wiring and/or chewing through cabling which can cause fires or expensive electrical problems. They may also be very noisy, particularly early in the mornings, and they have been known to drown in uncovered water storage tanks, which may contaminate the water supply.

It is also worth noting that Grey Squirrels are classed as vermin, they are also responsible for the decline in Red Squirrels. It is also illegal to release a trapped Grey Squirrel.

Prior To Treatment, do not attempt to block any entry holes. If you do this they may cause further damage trying to get back into or out of their ‘home’.

Treatment

The treatment of a Grey Squirrel infestation is much more difficult and time consuming than the other rodent pests. The treatment for controlling squirrels needs to be carefully considered, as once a family of squirrels has been removed from an area then at some stage the territory will be re-occupied.

Usually a combination of trapping and an anticoagulant poison called Waferin (yes, similar to what is given to human patients with heart conditions). This is the only poison licenced to be used on Grey Squirrels, which requires the rodents to consume it several times before they die (this stops other squirrels from becoming suspicious and bait shy if illness or death is associated with the poison).  We would ask that during treatment that you do not put out bird food as this will give them little incentive to take the poison or bait on the specially designed squirrel traps.

After treatment has been completed it is very important that the building is proofed so that squirrels from other territories do not reoccupy your building.