Grey Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis)
The grey squirrel was introduced in Ireland in 1911. Since then it has become widespread throughout the country and is responsible for the decline in numbers of the protected native red squirrels, who contribute to biodiversity and improve our forest ecosystems. By stripping the bark grey squirrels cause extensive damage to trees, leaving them discoloured, wind snap, diseased, prone to insect and fungal attacks.
Appearance
Grey Squirrels have a body length of 260mm with a tail of 215mm. They weight 550 to 750g
Habits
Grey Squirrels generally live in woodlands usually containing beech and oak. In autumn they move to hedgerows, gardens, and fields away from woods. They are active early morning and late afternoon all year.
Threats
Grey Squirrels are most active in damaging bark during the months of May to July. Primarily they cause damage to sycamore, beech and maple trees which are about 10-40 years old.
In early summer they attack trees, gnawing at the main stem, seeking the sweet, sappy layers directly beneath the bark. Sometimes the tree is completely ringed and as a consequence will die.
Grey Squirrels also attack many ranges of ornamental plants, fruits and vegetables. Particularly at risk are tulip bulbs, crocus corms, sweet corn, strawberries, apples, pears, nuts, sunflower seed heads and flower buds of camellias and magnolias.
They even attack and eat, eggs and the young of both songbirds and game birds.
Prevention
Grey Squirrels in the Roof or Attic
The most common reason Dublin homeowners contact a pest controller about grey squirrels is noise in the attic or roof space. Grey squirrels are excellent climbers and gnawers — they can access roof spaces through gaps as small as 25mm, particularly around fascias, soffits, damaged roof tiles, and where cables or branches provide access to the roof level.
Once inside a roof space, squirrels cause significant damage:
- Electrical cables — squirrels gnaw constantly to keep their incisors sharp, and electrical cable insulation is a common target. Gnawed cables are a serious fire risk and should be inspected by an electrician after any squirrel infestation
- Insulation — roof insulation is pulled apart and used as nesting material
- Timber joists and fascias — gnaw damage to structural timber and roofline materials
- Water pipes — plastic water pipes in attic spaces are occasionally gnawed, causing leaks
Squirrels in roof spaces are typically most active in the early morning and can be heard running, scratching, and gnawing. Unlike rats and mice, squirrels are diurnal (active during the day) — noise at night is more likely to indicate a rodent infestation.
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