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Professional Rainford Grey Squirrel Control

Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)

Origination
The grey squirrel is classed as an invasive non-native species in the UK. It was introduced to the UK from North America in the 19th century as a fashionable alternative to the native red squirrel. Since then, the grey squirrel has spread throughout the UK, decimating the red squirrel population. It is believed there are over 2 million grey squirrels in the UK and only around 30,000 red squirrels.

Damage
Grey squirrels often enter gardens from nearby woodland or parkland and may nest in attics and buildings.

*Gnaw on plastic such as wiring, causing a potential fire hazard.
*Strip bark off trees, in extreme cases killing the tree.
*Take eggs and young birds from nests and raid bird feeders.
*Dig up bulbs as well as attack a wide range of plants and vegetables.

A professional pest controller should only undertake Rainford grey squirrel control. Here at Young's Pest Control, our teams are trained and equipped for the task. Protective clothing is worn to reduce the risk of exposure to leptospirosis (Weil's disease) that bites or scratches may transmit.

Biology
They nest in "dreys" made of twigs and sticks and leaves where they rear their young. They are an adaptable species and are known to chew their way into the attic to nest there. The grey squirrel breeds twice a year and has a litter of 2-6 young. The gestation period is approximately 44 days, and the young leave the drey after 2-3 months and are ready to breed in 10-12 months. Squirrels are active throughout the year. Therefore, Rainford grey squirrel control can be carried out at any time.

Impact on the Red Squirrel
The grey squirrel has almost driven the red squirrel to extinction in the UK. The only significant remaining red squirrel colonies are in the north of England and Scotland. Despite Rainford grey squirrel control, their population has continued to grow. The grey squirrel has a higher breeding rate, is more robust and is almost twice the size of its native red cousin. The grey squirrel is more successful at finding food and surviving winters. The grey squirrel is a carrier of the Squirrel Pox virus, to which they are mainly immune. The native red squirrel has no immunity, and when infected, the mortality rate of red squirrels to the virus is close to 100%.

Squirrel removal
Young's Pest Control offers professional Rainford grey squirrel control following approved guidelines. Under the Animal Welfare Act, 2006, causing "unnecessary suffering" to an animal is illegal and includes squirrel pest control. Under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, "it is illegal to release a grey squirrel into the wild or allow one to escape".