Squirrel Control

Grey Squirrels can cause damage to houses and other buildings, chew electrical and wood insulations. Cause serious financial implications in forestry, weaken or kill trees and threaten the viability of commercial woodlands.

Grey Squirrel Control and Management Solutions

Information About Grey Squirrels

Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)

Grey are rodents, having the characteristic incisors that grow throughout their lives, combined with an outer layer of enamel on the incisors that wears away more slowly than the inner dentine, giving the sharp cutting edge to the teeth. Canines are absent in squirrels, being replaced by the characteristic rodent diastema.

Grey squirrels constitute a significant component of the wildlife in the United Kingdom, noted for their distinctive bushy tails and lively behavior. The grey squirrel was deliberately introduced to Britain from North America in the late 19th century, specifically around 1876, and has since established a robust population throughout the region.

Grey squirrels are characterized by their soft grey fur, which may exhibit a lighter underbelly and occasional reddish hues in certain individuals. The head and body length of a grey squirrel is 26 – 26.5 cm with the tail. Weight about 500gm; both sexes are similar in size. Grey squirrel body is adapted for climbing and jumping, with sharp claws for gripping and a long bushy tail for balance. Grey squirrel habitat primarily consists of woodlands, parks, and gardens, where they demonstrate exceptional climbing abilities, navigating trees with agility while foraging for sustenance. Their diet is diverse, including nuts, seeds, fruits, and fungi, and plays a critical role in the ecology of forests by facilitating seed dispersion.

Risks Concerning Grey Squirrels

The need to prevent damage caused by Grey Squirrels

The presence of grey squirrels is not without controversy, as they are often regarded as invasive species. Their competitive advantage over the native red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) has contributed to the decline of the latter in several areas. This situation has prompted conservation efforts aimed at managing grey squirrel populations to mitigate their impact on native species.

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

The major financial implications of grey squirrel activity relate to damage to forestry, woodlands and parks where they damage trees, particularly sycamore and beech, by stripping bark. This can often result in the weakening or death of leading shoots, resulting in a misshapen tree.

Severe or even moderate levels of damage to trees in commercial woodlands can lead to the woodland loss of commercial viability.

Grey squirrel activity in houses not only causes concern as far as the damage is concerned but also causes disturbance to sleep patterns and concerns about “attacks” on residents. Cases of grey squirrels attacking people are few but

Signs of Grey Squirrel Presence

Signs of Grey squirrel Activity

Grey squirrels are active in daytime and are commonly seen and identified, but they also leave several signs of their presence:

Dreys, mentioned above, are of the most obvious signs. Feeding signs of squirrels include pine cones from which the wings have been stripped to extract the seed, leaving behind a core; nuts in which a hole has been gnawed and the nut split open and tooth marks left on the caps of fungi. Squirrels also strip bark, particularly from deciduous trees such as beech and sycamore; teeth marks may show on the underlying cambium. Often squirrels will take their food to a particular tree stump or fence post to eat, and the remains will be scattered on the ground.

Droppings vary in shape and colour depending on the diet, but may be spherical like those of the Rabbit or more elongated, rather similar to those of Rats.

Squirrel Tracks are sometimes visible in mud and snow. As Squirrels move by hopping over the ground, the trail shows all four feet close together in a line, with the hind feet set outside and slightly in front of the forefeet.

Prevention of Damage and Control of Grey Squirrels

Prevention of Damage and Control of Grey Squirrels

It is important to remember that whilst some see the grey squirrel as vermin or a problem pest, just as many do not see the animals as a natural and welcome part of the habitat. Thus, those attempting to undertake control will frequently find themselves in the middle of this conflict.

It must be borne in mind that many people regard the grey squirrels as an attractive addition to the British fauna and will often vigorously oppose any control measures. Management of grey squirrels should be undertaken sympathetically and as far as possible without drawing undue attention to control activities.

Where squirrels are entering roof spaces, the potential cost of 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 against grey squirrels must be tailored to a specific site and the determination, ingenuity and sharp teeth of the squirrels should not be underestimated.

Control methods include: –

Drey poking and shooting
Spring traps
Live Capture Traps – Grey Squirrels must not be released alive
Poison baiting

Areas We Cover

We are proud to serve a wide range of locations across Sussex and Kent, covering bustling towns, charming villages, and picturesque coastal areas. Whether you’re based in a vibrant city, a peaceful countryside retreat, or a scenic seaside town, we are here to provide our services to you.

Our coverage includes major towns such as Brighton, Eastbourne, Tunbridge Wells, and Hastings, as well as many surrounding villages and rural communities. We understand the unique character of each area and strive to offer reliable, high-quality services tailored to the needs of our local clients.

Below is a breakdown of the key regions we operate in:

Hastings
St. Leonards on Sea
Bexhill On Sea
Battle
Westfield
Crowborough
Whatlington

Cost of Pest Control

The cost of pest control services is a common concern for many homeowners and business owners seeking professional assistance to eliminate pests from their properties. Several factors influence the pricing of pest control, making it difficult to provide an accurate quote online.

How much does pest control cost?

Here are the key factors that contribute to the overall cost of treating a pest infestation:

Size of infestation – The extent and severity of the pest infestation affect the service cost. For instance, treating a large, established bed bug infestation will take more time and resources, resulting in a higher price compared to a small, contained issue that can be resolved quickly.

Type of pest – The specific type of pest infesting your property also impacts the pricing. The cost of eliminating cockroaches will differ from the cost of treating a rodent problem, as different solutions and approaches are required for each pest.

Type of treatment – The treatment method needed for pest elimination correlates with the overall service cost. For example, using insecticide sprays to control moths is different from employing heat treatment. The complexity and method of treatment will be reflected in the pricing. Moreover, the costs for preventative pest control are generally different from those for corrective or reactive treatments.

Number of treatments – Some pests may require multiple treatments for effective control, affecting overall pricing. For example, treating a wasp nest typically costs less than a rat treatment, as eliminating a rat infestation usually necessitates several visits from our professional pest controllers to ensure the pest is completely removed.

Size of property – The dimensions of the property are also a factor in determining pest control costs. Larger properties require more time and effort to effectively treat pest problems, which will influence the overall treatment cost to remove pests.

The size of the property plays a part in the cost of a pest control service. The larger the property the more time is required to successfully treat a pest problem. This will affect the cost of the treatment required to remove the pest.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the signs of a rodent infestation?

Signs of a rodent infestation include damaged or gnawed materials, droppings, and unusual noises, especially at night. Dead or live rodent sightings, runs or tracks.

Do you know if I need a rodent control service?

Controlling rodents is essential for any business, particularly those in food processing, hospitality, and healthcare. The presence of rodents can pose severe health risks and legal implications.

Will I need regular rodent control services?

Regular rodent control is essential, depending on your location, environmental risks, and the type of your business. GSG Pest Control provide tailored pest control solutions and advise you on necessary service schedules based on thorough assessments to keep you legally compliant.

Are rodenticides safe for my customers and staff?

Absolutely! GSG Pest Control uses non-toxic methods and products to control rodents that are safe for both pets and humans while ensuring effective rodent control.

How can I prevent rodents from entering my building?

Enforce good housekeeping practices, seal potential entry points, maintain the integrity of the building maintenance, and manage waste responsibly to keep rodents away. GSG Pest Control provides pest proofing and monitoring solutions to further protect your property.