Squirrels - PEST UK

Providing pest control services in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, London, Middlesex, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, West Midlands, West Sussex, Wiltshire. Est. 1985.

Our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Squirrels

Frequently asked questions about squirrels:

There are two species of squirrel in the UK – red squirrels and grey squirrels. While red squirrels are native to the UK and grey squirrels not, grey squirrels are more common out of the two.

Squirrels are dangerous, not necessarily to humans but to their property. Squirrels can chew through and damage the structure of homes and personal property, including electrical wiring posing a fire risk.

Grey squirrels are active during the day, foraging for food in trees and on the ground and can often be found visiting bird feeders in gardens. In the autumn they spend time storing nuts to eat during the winter.

It is very rare for squirrels to attack people unprovoked as they are naturally timid creatures. However, squirrels can carry disease so any bites should be followed with medical help.

Squirrels are known to carry numerous diseases, though only a few are dangerous to humans which can be transmitted through bites or other forms of direct contact with infected squirrels.

Squirrels can be found almost everywhere in the UK, though their species depends on the area. England, Wales and much of Northern Ireland are dominated by the grey squirrel which prefers woodland areas but is common in parks and gardens too.