The Grey Squirrel Threat
The Grey Squirrel first turned up in Britain in the late 1800s, but wasn't an immediate problem. It began its rapid spread across England and Wales a while later, between 1930 and 1950, when numbers of Red Squirrels began to shrink considerably. They possess higher birth rates, larger adult sizes and better tolerance of high population densities. Compared to the red squirrel they require as much as twenty times more food than their red counterparts, so there's little surprise that the Red Squirrel can barely compete.
Something the British countryside has been unfortunate enough to discover over the past eighty years is that Grey Squirrels can be immense pests. If you've ever noticed a broadleaved tree with stripped bark around the base then you've been admiring the destructive handiwork of Grey Squirrels. In some cases they've been known to tear away enough to kill mature branches or entire trees. In the Woodlands industry this can be profit destroying. The quality of the timber is reduced, and growth is slower than under normal conditions.
In public areas it's impossible to protect every tree, and the only way to attempt to do so is with hunting and trapping the pests. In gardens they're easier to deter. Smooth plastic cones around the trunk of the tree will keep squirrels from the bark, and baffles are often places on feeding poles to keep them away from feeders. Mixing some hot pepper or chili with seeds will deter them from feeders, as they are hyper-sensitive to hot spice where birds are immune. Smearing a Vaseline-Chili combination can also function as an effective deterrent on trees or poles, though this is only a temporary solution for trees.
Depending on what level of lethality the gardener is comfortable with, Squirrel traps and feeders may suffice. Traps effectively bait them, though they've demonstrated an ability to learn to avoid them. Feeders will often distract them from other food sources, though it should be noted that they also strip trees as a territorial action. Satiating their hunger won't necessarily save the tree.
The World Conservation Union now lists the Grey Squirrel as one of the worst 100 invasive alien species on the planet, and the European Squirrel Initiative became a registered charity in 2004. They were created with the goal of restoring the Red Squirrel to prominence in the UK, and controlling or eradicating the grey. By spreading the truth about the Greys' destructive and greedy nature these organisations are working to research new ways of protecting the English and European countryside from the rampantly spreading creatures, and protect the existing natural environment.
About the Author
Terry Bramley has selected woodland plants supplier http://www.ewburrownursery.co.uk/ to help him write his latest article. Although Terry can be considered an expert article writer he wanted to make sure the article was perfect with their help.
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