Squirrels

[Eastender]

We have some sqirrels nesting down the back of our garden, either under nexts doors shed, or in the undergrowth or tree.  Does anyone know how many squirrels would normally be in a drey, and once they have nested there, do they stay there for good? they are driving the cats mad! cheers

[Chessman]

Not good news i'm afraid. as long as there's food in the area, they are likely to stay, and when they have their young, the dominant male can get just a little bit aggressive, and will take on, and beat a cat. If you can find out exactly where they are nesting, they are very sensitive to smells, rags soaked in a very strong disinfectant should ppersuade them to move, you may have to repeat, and, of course, they may only move to a different area nearby, especially if there's a nut tree cloe. (Oak, Walnut, Beech etc).

[Mazzini]

Please don't try to 'move them on' until they have raised their young.  They tend to breed twice a year and cats will try to catch and kill the babies if they can.  The dreys are usually rather twiggy and often collapse after a few months and get abandoned.  Many of us love squirrels and even rear abandoned babies but I believe the RPSCA & alot of vets automatically euthanase any babies/injured brought to them as they are of course technically defined as vermin. Ah well each to their own.  A good website for learning about them and further queries in management, feeding, caring etc (including injured ones if cats catch them) is www.squirrels.info 

[Chessman]

Well said Mazzini, I quite like the perishers myself, but didn't even think about the young, should have though, shows you have a caring nature, if it was my posting, i'd give you three stars.

[Eastender]

Dont worry, I will not touch them.  I only wanted to know, how long they stay nesting there for.  Never mentioned about harming them.