Squirrels

[crapmemory]

My in-laws have got squirrels in their loft. The landlord came and replaced loose bricks but the squirrels are eating through the wood. When my in-laws said pest control people should come round, he said they would have to pay for it. Surely as it is his property he is liable. My in-laws are both 89 years old. I think he is treating them disgracefully.Can they get pest control in and tell them to send the bill to their landlord? TIA

[alexanderd]

I would have thought it was the landlords responsibility as it is his property

[anneasquith]

are squirrels a protected species ?

[carmalee]

Agree with you - but - best check with CAB to see where in laws stand.Grey squirrels can be trapped but they cannot then be released or ' inhumanely disposed of' - baically your in laws need some legal advice as to whether the problem is theirs or the landlords. Hope it works out well

[AlBags]

Why should those nastly little grey buggers be protected?
Eat them all, I say .. Give the reds a fighting chance.

[carmalee]

not in disagreement Albags - merely stating how things are.

[crapmemory]

Thanks for your answers.

[RATTER15]

Grey squirrels in lofts can cause many thousands of pounds damages by eating through joists and rafters etc, they will shred things in the loft for bedding etc.

No pest control company will come in to treat the loft without agreement as to who is going to pay the bill.

I used to charge £85.00 to treat a squirrel infestation but that was 6 years ago

They have no protection at all!

[carmalee]

fraid they do ratter - if trapped they cannot be released and you can get prosecuted for killing them inhumanely. I realise the term inhumanely is open to interpretation - the official recommendation is to employ the services of a registered pest control officer to dispose of the beastie.. IMO An excessive and unnecessary cost for one animal classed as vermin but nevertheless, that's the law.

[bednobs]

the landlord is being very short sighted. Are the squirrels causing any nusiance to your in laws? If not, i would recomend they leave it. If the squirrels damage the fabric of the house then it'lll be the landlord that suffers, not them. In answer to your q, no they cannot just get work done and send the landlord the bill - he would be under no obligation to pay it as he has not entered into a contract.