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The grey squirrel was first introduced to the UK from the USA in 1876. It is now common throughout England , Wales and Scotland and in many areas is considered a pest.
They are brownish grey in colour with white undersides and are approximately 25cm long with a 22cm long tail. Droppings vary in shape and colour depending on diet. They are usually spherical or elongated similar to those of rats.
In their natural habitat grey squirrels build nests or dreys in the forks of trees or in hollow trunks. In urban areas they will enter roof spaces by climbing walls or jumping from nearby trees.
Grey squirrels may carry fleas and other parasites.
If they get into your property they can cause serious damage. They chew woodwork and ceilings, strip the insulation from electrical wiring, tear up loft insulation to form a nest and sometimes drown in cold water tanks.
The noise they make, particularly at night, scratching and running about can be very disturbing.
They cause environmental damage, stripping bark off trees causing young trees to die, and can destroy many garden plants with their activities.
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