grey squirrels

Newtothisgame · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 9:41 pm Post subject: grey squirrels

I have spotted a really cheeky grey squirrel around my veg patch and greenhouse and I am very worried about the damage it could do to my things and my house - what can I do to get rid of these things? They are like huge rats.

Thanks Evil or Very Mad

medieval knievel · Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 12:50 pm Post subject:

i once talked to someone who recommended grey squirrel stew...

Newtothisgame · Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 5:04 pm Post subject:

Thanks for that...did they mention how they killed it first?!

medieval knievel · Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 9:40 pm Post subject:

if you trap a grey squirrel (which is legal) you are not allowed release it (because it is classed as vermin).

tippben · Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 10:14 pm Post subject:

Unfortunately, they are so resourceful that you won't be able to keep them away. As well as outcompeting the native reds, and decimating the local birds' nests, they also carry parapox, to which they are immune, but the reds aren't.

As medieval said, the best you can do is control them, and maybe harvest them; I've eaten them, and they were like a cross between rabbit and partridge. The most humane methods would be an air rifle or shotgun, but you could trap them, empty the trap into a sack and bludgeon them (a bit cruel in my opinion), or poison them (worse still).

Unfortunately, they are an invasive alien species, and killing them is the only way. Even foresters and conservation groups advocate this. If you are too squeamish, contact your local gun club. If you live in town though, you're pretty much stuffed, and cage traps may be the only way, just make sure to kill them cleanly.

Newtothisgame · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 11:41 am Post subject: Options for disposal

Thanks a million for all the advice. If I were to get a cage trap and leave it out for it I'd not want to go near it again - if it went into the cage is there any chance it would just starve to death and die there and then?!! Looking for the easiest way to kill this guy. Thanks for all the help - feel so stupid as I dont have a clue.

ian · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 1:00 pm Post subject:

take it from trap and put it into a hessian sack and spin the sack to close up the open end , then using a louisville sluggercrack it over the head. bury the remains.