We have a squirrel hibernating under our bath!

[stanleyman]

A few days ago we noticed a hole appear in the plasterboard wall between my son's bedroom and the bathroom. Today he complained that his conkers had been eaten and his dirty socks were missing! The socks were stuffed into the hole from the bath side with a trail of half eaten conkers leading to the hole!

I have concluded, but not yet checked that this is a very brave one of the many grey squirrel around here who has found a cosy winter home under our bath in our bungalow. Why me with all the trauma of the last few days?

I don't know how it got in or how it will get out. Do I leave it until the spring or turf it out now? They can get nasty if cornered and I'm worried about my nuts. Any advice welcomed.

[woofgang]

turf it out!! If you don't have it destroyed, make sure that it is released a long way from your home as they as very good at remembering the way back!!

My sister has just had to deal with six in her roof!!

[shaneystar2]

this site may help
http://www.hastings.gov.uk/pests/squirrels.aspx.It's probably nowhere near where you live but tells you how to trap them.
Your local council must have a pest control officer whom you could speak to.They are swines if you get them indoors. We used to have them when we lived in London .. , and a poor guy in the flats next to us left his window open one day and a squirrel got in and caused havoc.Try and get rid of it asap as they chew through electrics and all sorts.Good luck. and hope you are feeling a bit better now.

[spudqueen]

If you're in Lancashire I know where you can buy a squirrel trap, then let it out a long, long way away!

[Chessman]

You've got some good advice with the above posts, but take extra note of what shaney has said, regarding the damage they do.

[WendyS]

This is certainly not your week stanleyman, and a squirrel is no substitute for your dog. If it's mild tomorrow, leave your outside doors and windows open and try and try and gently poke it out with long broomsticks it's hiding under the bath.. They have wicked teeth and whilst we enjoy having them in the gardenthey quickly graw through the wire in the nut cages we leave our for the birds so could quickly do damage to electric cables, etc. Do you have a cavity wall between the bathroom and your son's bedroom? If so, it could well be hibernating in there, or maybe it has managed to get into the loft via nearby trees if you have a hole in your eaves. If you've got any nasy smelling substances you can squirt around, that might force it out, or alternatively banging on walls or forcing it out with a long broomstick. Keep us updated.

[logman]

This may seem a bit silly stanleyman but its actualy illegal to relese the grey squirrel into the wild in the uk. Looks like you have a catch 22 on your hands ! Why not let the rspca sort it out. Good luck..

[{Dakota}]

I'm really I sorry I don't have any constructive advice for you, but this thread has made me giggle !!

The wee menace!!

[ursula62]

logoman is right - if you do use a humane trap then you cannot release the squirrel into the wild. You need to take it to a vet to be destroyed - they will not charge you for putting down a wild animal.

[funnywebsite]

I have never heard such rubbish in my life about not being allowed to release a grey squirrel into the wild. They are wild! You are just reuniting it with the wild. I would just fnd it and take it outside. A little squirrel won't hurt you. Don't be such a baby.

[stanleyman]

There seems to have been some activity around the hole on Sunday so he isn't asleep yet and I'm not about to tackle the furry fiend head on. He could be in the loft so I've set a trap by the hole. Anyone know the best bait?

As for squirting nasty smelling substances around to force him out, if little Lofty can handle my son's socks then nothing else will drive him out!

If I catch him and he is an American grey squirrel then I do believe it is unlawful to release him back into the wild same as that other American crayfish import devastating our natural wildlife. Our native red squirrel is now only seen on the Isle of Wight and few other places.

Lofty is not such a nice guy as one would think so he is still on the wanted list. Conker and sock stealing may only be a minor offence but I'm afraid, killing our red squirrel is definitely a capital offence. Don't worry, he'll get a fair trial. My son wants a Davy Crocket hat for Christmas!!!

[ursula62]

It *IS* illegal to release a grey squirrel into the wild in the UK. They are not a natural species they were introduced from the USA. The natural species of squirrel for the UK is the red squirrel.

http://www.martleyelectronics.co.uk/squirrels.htm

This is from the Environment Agency website. Note the last sentence:

" Non-native species � Some aspects of the natural environment of the UK in general are protected. For example, it is an offence to release into the wild a bird, animal or plant that is of a kind not normally resident in Great Britain unless you obtain a licence to do so. This extends to many foreign animals that have become established here, such as the grey squirrel."

[WendyS]

This little monkey is giving you the real run-around, isn't he??

Short of soaking peanuts in brandy or whisky to knock him out, I'm devoid of practical ideas as to what you can do to catch him as he can move far more quickly than you can. I'm inclined to think that calling the RSPCA in with a suitable cage and strong net on a long pole may be the only solution. And it will probably take hours of patience waiting for him to make the first move.