Grey Squirrels
It is that time of year again where we need to start talking about squirrels. Although we typically think of squirrels as pests in the springtime, they are also prevalent in the winter. This is because they, like most pests, look to find shelter from the cold, wet weather. Hear scratching or rustling in your loft? Chances are, it could be squirrels!
Squirrels may indeed look cute, but actually they are extremely destructive. Not only to items in and around your home, but also to the environment. Grey squirrels are not native to the UK and they pose a great risk to our red squirrel population. They strip trees of their bark, ultimately causing them to die. Grey squirrels will also raid birds’ nests to eat their eggs.
Grey squirrels are just smaller that a 30cm ruler. As you would expect, they are predominantly grey in colour with a white underbelly. Their tails are long and furry (although not a fluffy as our red squirrels) and can vary in colours; from grey, orange, black and white. They typically will build their nests in trees, in a hole or in branches against the trunk. They like to be high up.
If you do hear that rustling in your loft, then squirrels may have managed to gain access to your home. They could have done this in many ways. If there is ivy growing up the side of your property or dense foliage from trees and bushes, these provide great step ladders to your roof space. As mentioned earlier, grey squirrels are destructive, and this is not limited to just the outside world. If they are able to gain access, they will tear up insulation, strip electrical wires and chew on any available wood. If that wasn’t bad enough, they are really noisy! Chances are they will disrupt your sleep as they are typically most active during the early hours of the morning.
Prevention is better than a cure, so if you think you have any potential entry points in your roof, then may we suggest getting in touch with us today. We can offer advice and our services to help you be squirrel free this winter.
