Squirrel problems

[Countrypaul]

We are having a serious problem with squirrels chewing the lead flashings on vaious parts of the house. I had noticed one tree was leaning over part of the house and believe sqirrels ave been leaping off that onto the flat roof and from there onto another flat roof as a result there is significant damage to the lead flashings. One has a hole in it about 6" x 4", one has two sections missing about 4"x4" others have similar damafe but to a smaller degree.

One flashing is over the joint bwetween a brick wall and flat roof, the roof covering comes up the wall about 8" and the lead comes out from between 2 courses of brick and down over the roof covering upstand by about 8" - there is a large hole where the lead comes out from between the brick and downwards. The other flashings are where a parapet wall ends against a sloping tiled roof, the lead extends about a foot along out from the tiles and this has been destroyed at the corners between the top of the coping and the sides.

I have spent half the day cutting back nearby trees, and removing some that were leaning towards and in one case over part of the house. I am aiming to make a space of at least 10ft between house and trees.

Does anyone have any reccomendations on anything I can put on the lead to deter the little devils? Alternatively something other than lead for the flashing? Any other suggestions (elimination of the offenders is prohibited - unfortunately)?

[Stinsy]

I've heard peppermint oil deters them. Not sure how effective this is or how long an application lasts. But maybe worth a try?

[openspaceman]

Fen mark 4 in a tunnel

[Fintray]

Pine Marten perhaps?

[AE-NMidlands]

How do you atract a pine marten?

Fen mark 4 in a tunnel

I would second that. Has worked very well for me. Haven't had enough to be worth cooking yet though...
Son made the tunnel for me from a plan in a book (also a horizontal one for rats) and they don't catch anything they shouldn't.
I bait it with old peanut butter, but tbh I think squirrels' inquisitive nature might mean they would get caught anyway. Don't put any of the PB onto the wood to tempt them in - it just gets eaten away - the wood, that is!




The chain is because one didn't work outright and I suspect it went walkies into a neighbour's garden. The boxes do attact slugs though - I have found a dozen big fat grey things in there late winter!
A

[Bugtownboy]

But, Countrypaul has stated elimination, which I’m sure includes eating, is prohibited.

Are these Reds or Greys (presume the former).

If it’s like anything else that’s protected, going to be hard to discourage, but I’m sure there must be something.

Not helping, but it’s hard to understand why they’re attacking lead

[AE-NMidlands]

But, Countrypaul has stated elimination, which I’m sure includes eating, is prohibited.
Are these Reds or Greys (presume the former).
If it’s like anything else that’s protected, going to be hard to discourage, but I’m sure there must be something.
Not helping, but it’s hard to understand why they’re attacking lead

Greys are far from protected... in fact they are an "alien invasive species" and as such it's illegal to release one that you have caught. I think elimination and eating is fully supported today (apart from by blind friends of furry things!)
I was given a humane live trap... totally useless and still in its box as you have to despatch the critter. I couldn't justify dumping it in a water butt, and I haven't got leather gloves heavy enough to be safe dragging one out before clubbing it!
A

[greentangerine]

If your curtilage allows the legal discharge of an airgun, then a .22 will do the job.

[openspaceman]

You have to be patient and very good with an air rifle to kill a grey squirrel humanely. I'm totally with AE over dealing with squirrels, even though the original poster wants just to move them on.

I'll add that dealing with squirrels from a live trap is also fraught with difficulties, you need a knack and heavy gloves to attempt to break their necks as they try and pop out, it can get messy and if you make a mistake often launch a kamikaze attack rather than an escape.

A properly set Fenn trap in a tunnel is quick and out of sight of people but you must visit it every 12hours.

Of course not to be used if reds are present. I have a bit of experience in this from many years ago.

[Moxi]

Country Paul, if you just want to stop the squirrels chewing then tabasco or chilli sauce on the lead will stop them without lasting harm, refresh after inclement weather.

If you want a more lasting resolution instead of risking moving the problem elsewhere and if its grey squirrels then as others have said the species specific traps are good.

My personal preference would be a few afternoons and early morning in a suitable spot overlooking the damage area with a 0.22 air rifle around the 11.5ft/lb region with something like a 3-9 by 40 telescopic scope and within 20 meters of the squirrel activity and of course you will need to ensure there's a suitable backstop for any stray pellets that miss their target.

A clicker often makes a squirrel stop and look up for the source of the sound which buys you the few seconds you require for a clean head shot.

More general useful information can be found here:https://basc.org.uk/advice/basc-grey-squirrel-control/

Moxi