Chicken boarders

[Margalot]

Hi, Just had a call from my Mum who has discovered at least 2 squirrels in her loft. She has called out a pest controller who is coming out to her tomorrow to trap them and re-locate them. I thought that they would poison them as they do rats? (sorry if anyone is a squirrel lover )

 

He has told her that the traps will need to be checked every day....which is a bit difficult as she is in her 70's and doesnt own a loft ladder. so do you think he will come back and check the traps? has anyone else had this?

[Charlottechicken]

Hi, Just had a call from my Mum who has discovered at least 2 squirrels in her loft. She has called out a pest controller who is coming out to her tomorrow to trap them and re-locate them. I thought that they would poison them as they do rats? (sorry if anyone is a squirrel lover )

 

 

If they are grey squirrels then I don't think they can trap and release them as they are classed as vermin

 

Sorry, can't help with the other bit, never had squirrels in the loft!

[Chucky Mama]

The law was changed recently that allows licensed individuals to release a set number of squirrels back into the wild. He really needs to make special arrangements for your Mum. She can't be expected to go up and down a ladder into the loft safely. If there is enough food and water to sustain them in the traps they may be able to be left for a little longer.

[Cranfield Kate]

and she'll need to get a guarantee from him that he takes them and releases them a LONG way away. Squirrels "home" like pigeons (and snails too now apparently...) and a friend of mine had to take his squirel to the other side of the river to stop it coming back. many miles and several tube stops wasn't far enough.

[Alis girls]

Horrid things we had one when moved in. Our kitchen is an extension and one Sunday I heard a nosie and told the kids to stop being annoying as you do when realised it was in the roof above me. I removed spotlight and a small head popped out - it then turned round and a small tail appeared - so I gentely pulled it and a baby squrriel appeared - popped it in a box and took to animal hosp. The nurse there said you should have left it - i was speechlees and wondered how she would want it chewing thro her wires. Kids wanted to keep as a pet

[Mollie333]

Yes.

They totally destroy our out buildings wood loft, and had babies in there, so was a pain to get out and relocate!

[Charlottechicken]

The law was changed recently that allows licensed individuals to release a set number of squirrels back into the wild.

 

That's interesting CM, wonder what prompted the change Hope they don't grant too many licences though.

[Chucky Mama]

I don't know but I supect it was prompted by 'animal lovers'. There is a limit as to how many any license holder can release but I doubt anyone will be standing their counting to make sure that they don't go over their limit

[sjp]

I'd have thourght that the pest control company had to check them not the client

[chickweed]

I know of an attic that caught fire which was thought to have been started by squirrels biting through electrical wiring .

 

I'm not suggesting that you tell your mother this and cause her to be more anxious, but when the problem is sorted out, it's worth regularly checking the loft for new "visitors".

[Plum]

They may loan her a web cam

[WarrensWorld]

"It is illegal to release a trapped Grey Squirrel into the wild, so any that are caught must be humanely destroyed – definitely a job best left to the experts".

 

http://www.nomorepests.co.uk/GreySquirrels.html

 

Just stop the little blighters from getting into your loft. If they chew through the insulation of your 6 amp lighting circuit. Well it comes down to a homeless squirrel or a homeless you and yours, or something far, far worse.

[CallyChook]

we have them in our loft - or did last winter, not heard anything this year but I'm sure they'll come back. Nasty little things - I actually saw one try to attack Faye the orpington last yr. They chewed through all my son's baby memories which I had boxed up. Unfortunately in such an old house, we have a falling down fascia and a couple of places where they can get in, and can't afford to block them out to the degree that would be required. If they chew the light wiring up there then they'll set themselves on fire, it's dodgy 1975 wiring and I have no idea how they got away with it in the first place!!

[sjp]

I've done a few jobs over the years wre squirrels have been getting into lofts and seen them get through gaps as small as half an inch and watched them run up and down the house walls like they were on a flat surface

the one refit I was on they striped ever last bit of plastic of the electric cables (lights and socketts) in the loft bar the live at first we thourght it was down to the colour til the sparks found one 'neutral' wire left turned out it had been wired wrong and was infact the live

also seen chicken wire that was used to block holes up gnored through