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Contact Information
Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council,
Town Hall, Coton Road,
Nuneaton, Warwickshire,
CV11 5AA
Town Hall, Coton Road,
Nuneaton, Warwickshire,
CV11 5AA
Tel: 024 7637 6376
Grey Squirrels
The Borough Council does not offer a service for the treatment of squirrels. Details of pest control contractors can be obtained from the yellow pages or via the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) who can be contacted on 0870 609 2687 or visit their website at www.bpca.org.uk
Facts about Grey Squirrels
- Nest (called drays) are made up of twigs, leaves and dried grass.
- They breed twice a year, up to 3 or 4 young in a litter.
- They eat, nuts, fruit, bird eggs and nestlings.
Signs of presence in a loft space
- Gnawed items i.e. wiring and woodwork and beams.
- Disturbed insulation.
- Droppings.
Treatments
- Shooting.
- Spring traps.
- Cage traps.
- Poisoning.
- Proofing.
Grey Squirrel Advice
The most serious damage in urban areas arises where 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 can sometimes drown in water storage tanks, thus causing contamination of the water supply.
Prevention
If food is available for squirrels then they are likely to remain in the area and breed productively. Special bird feeders are available that prevent squirrels gaining access to the food.
Where squirrels are entering roof spaces the potential cost of the damage justifies the expense of proofing. Blocking gaps and entrance holes with tightly wedged wire netting or by sealing with strong mortar have proved to be effective. Proofing measures must be tailored to a specific site and the determination, ingenuity and sharp teeth of the squirrel should not be underestimated.
