The grey squirrel is recognised as being in the top worst 100 invasive pest species in the world by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In Britain, it is classed as Invasive Alien Species (IAS) which is any animal that is not native to the UK. Because grey squirrels are an invasive pest species, it is against the law to re-release a grey squirrel if it’s been caught alive. This means that any person catching a grey squirrel alive is legally obliged to humanely dispatch it. Measures such as drowning are not permitted due to the distress this would cause the animal. So, what are the best ways to get rid of squirrels should you have an infestation.

Don’t compromise your safety and the safety of your family, pets, and wildlife when going down the DIY route. For example, investigating roof voids, examining air conditioning units, the eaves of your building, etc to examine where squirrels could live (even dying when injured), can be dangerous so consulting an expert in squirrel control should be considered.

So, what are the best ways to get rid of squirrels should you have an infestation.

How To Get Rid Of Squirrels From The Garden

In your garden squirrels can wreak havoc without being disturbed. They can:

1. Dig up your lawn to bury the fruits, seeds, and nuts they have gathered from your trees, plants, and bird feeders.
2. Dig up and destroy bulbs.
3. Raid birds’ nests preying on the eggs and fledglings.
4. Destroy the most sophisticated bird feeders – gnawing through the metal.
5. Damage trees such as beech, oak, and chestnut. By stripping the bark at the base, the tree weakens and eventually dies.

Things To Do And Things To Consider

Squirrels are very hard to deter but there are some things you can try including:

1. Removing their food and water supply. Are neighbours unwittingly worsening the problem by leaving out food for the squirrels on bird feeders and the grass etc in their gardens? Squirrels will help themselves to the food that falls from feeders and they will gnaw through the metal and take all the food in the feeder. Replace bird feeders with squirrel-proof feeders they can’t gnaw through and consider installing a baffle that makes it hard for a squirrel to access a feeder. Be warned that baffles can work but for some squirrels, they are just another deterrent to overcome.
2. Ensuring outside bins including compost and food waste are not advertising food scraps because squirrels will find these and will return. Use metal bins with a locked lid. And again, involve neighbours to ensure everyone is equally vigilant.
3. Being aware that your garden could be providing a feast for squirrels. Grey squirrels are almost exclusively herbivorous. They will eat acorns, hazelnuts, sweet chestnuts, pine nuts, walnuts, berries, fungi, grains, vegetables, buds and shoots, bark, and peanuts from bird feeders. However, if plant food is scarce, they will eat insects like caterpillars or crickets, smaller rodents, bird eggs, and nestlings.

In your garden squirrels can wreak havoc without being disturbed. They can:

1. Dig up your lawn to bury the fruits, seeds, and nuts they have gathered from your trees, plants, and bird feeders.
2. Dig up and destroy bulbs.
3. Raid birds’ nests preying on the eggs and fledglings.
4. Destroy the most sophisticated bird feeders – gnawing through the metal.
5. Damage trees such as beech, oak, and chestnut. By stripping the bark at the base, the tree weakens and eventually dies.

These are the primary signs of squirrels around your property. It is best to act quickly as soon as you spot an indication to reduce the extent of the issue. Should the problem already be more advanced, finding ways to get rid of squirrels would be a necessity.