The Grey Squirrel arrived in the countryside between 1876 and 1929 after having been released from several centres around the country such as London Zoo and Woburn Park. They are now prolific across England except for much of East Anglia, Cornwall and as yet they have not reached the Isle of Wight.
Bringing the issue of the squirrel closer to home, your home, and what measures you can take where they to get into your property and make no mistake they can cause havoc.

Biology

The Grey Squirrel is about 265mm in body length and 210mm tail length with a body weight of between 550-750g.

Habits and habitats

They prefer mixed woodland. This could be broadleaf or conifer, but usually there will be oak or beech present.
In the autumn they can be often seen in and around hedgerows, gardens and away from woodlands. Being more active early in the mornings or late afternoon, which is a trait all year round.
Their dietary needs are fairly broad, eating such things as nuts, seeds, fruit, new buds and tender shoots, eggs and young birds, not to mention that when you were expecting those new bulbs to herald the coming of spring only to find they have been dug up and eaten, then for the probable cause look no further.
One main area of damage is that caused to bark on trees. This normally is at its height between the months of May to July. Their favourite targets appear to be sycamore and beech. The result of this is that an estimated 5-7% of these trees subsequently die.

Reproduction

Females can have 1-2 litters a year, there are two breeding periods in a year, with litter sizes being of up to 5 kittens. These litters are born between May and June or December and January. However the mortality rate is high at around 75%. The nest where these are born is called a drey. In the summer months these summer dreys are found hanging from branches. Winter dreys are normally in hollows of trees or if access is gained, your loft. These dreys are lined with fur, grass or moss
The life span of a female is 4-6 years and the males 2-3years.

Control

There are several methods of control that when looking at the problems associated with domestic properties must be taken into account and combine with adequate proofing measures. These measures can be discussed with a PCO who will be glad to advise you of the best way to tackle the problem.
The main control measures used by G.S Pest Control would be cage traps, spring traps, or shooting. NOT poison baits
There are several legal aspects to dealing with the squirrel which G.S Pest Control are conversant with. It is however prudent at this point to point out that the Destructive Imported Animals Act 1932 makes it illegal to release a caught or trapped squirrel. As the grey squirrel is not indigenous to England all caught or trapped animals must be humanely destroyed.