Plauged with squirrels.

I use PCP.

 

I didn't realise it was legal to kill squirrels?

 

I thought it was illegal to release Grey Squirrels - click on link below for 'invasive species'.

https://www.gov.uk/wildlife-licences
"Keep or release non-native species
You must get a licence to keep or release non-native species in England, Scotland and Wales:
Non-native species are:

• any wild species that is not normally resident and not a regular visitor to Great Britain
• any species listed as an invasive species

Release a non-native species
It’s an offence to allow a non-native species to escape into the wild, or release it, if you don’t have a licence.
You must apply for a licence to release non-native species.
Keep mink, grey squirrel and coypu
You must apply for a licence to keep mink, grey squirrel and coypu for exhibition, science and education purposes "

And that once caught you have to (1) kill them, (2) apply for a licence to keep in captivity, or (3) eat them (pretty much same as (1)).

Round this way there's mains operated death traps set to eliminate this pest.

 

Cayenne Pepper. I buy the suet with the Cayenne Pepper already in it. And look for the huge container of Cayenne Pepper mix that in the bird feeder with your loose seeds. This stuff will burn their little mouths. I have no problems with them on my bird feeders.

 

No squirrels, no snakes or badgers, no foxes and no decent weather!

 

We shoot every one, (not everyone,) we see. 20 + last year and we still have some coming. If they were red they would be welcome. You will probably not dent their population but I try.

 

Once had 'something' running around in the loft,it sounded like a Yorkshire terrier It went on for a few days and could never find out what it was but then did see major damage to roof trusses and floor joists got a man in ...one less Squirrel ..

 

And someone else will have a problem

 

BUT, my secret weapon is my cats. The cats chase at them keeping them treed. So my bulbs are safe. Plus I do have some nut trees that the squirrels take up. The worst thing the squirrels have done is chew a break line in our truck. Good thing I caught it before the truck left our drive. But cost money of course to repair, and a tow truck. That was years ago. I do seem to have less squirrels around. Still think it is the cats chasing them.

 

I like the black one's Woo, they look so different.

 

Is this black squirrel in your garden Woo?I have only ever see one once over at the RSPB reserve at Sandy in Bedfordshire in the eighties and found out later that there was a small population of them at a place called Elton I think it was,but only saw it once so don't know whether it was predated by man or animal

Lovely looking specimen though

 

When I used to manage a fishery in Cheshire we had an active culling plan in place, working with the neighbouring Forestry Commission such was the level of damage they did to the new growth on the trees!!

As we managed the fishery for wildlife too they also far too often raided the nests of birds in the spring to take eggs and even young birds on occasions!

In our own garden we've had as many as 4, but they've just gone through the process of marking their territory and 2 have been chased off. Problem is the other 2 have started building a drey in the neighbours tree. They have already wrecked 2 of my feeders and attempted 2 dig up some of my bulbs Think I will be trying the chilli idea...............got any tips for feral pigeons