UK households who see squirrels in their garden 'warned'
UK households have been issued a warning over squirrels turning up in their gardens. People who have seen squirrels in their gardens over autumn and winter have been warned by experts over trying to control the creatures.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has stated that "it is not possible to stop squirrels from entering your garden" and instead suggested using netting over areas where "bulbs and corms have been planted, to deter squirrels from digging them up".
They added: "Netting can give protection to fruits and shrubs when squirrels are showing interest in them. Wire netting is best used for permanent structures such as fruit cages, as squirrels can quite easily bite through plastic."
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"To avoid accidentally trapping or injuring birds or other animals, please always ensure that netting is kept taut, and check regularly for holes," they added. The website suggests using "squirrel-proof bird feeders and tables available from garden centres".
It adds: "Whilst it is permissible to attempt to control grey squirrels by trapping, provided this is done in a 'humane manner'." And it goes on to add "as with other methods this rarely gives more than short term reduction in numbers. Shooting is rarely feasible in gardens for legal and safety reasons."
BBC Gardeners' World star Monty Don previously shared his own guidance over garden wildlife, saying: "A good selection of bird life greatly helps the health of your garden too, providing the best way of controlling any excess of pests such as aphids and caterpillars.
"Birdsong is a vital element of any good garden and at Longmeadow, we are blessed with songbirds such as thrushes, blackcaps, and a particularly dense population of blackbirds and robins to serenade us.
"And so my winter gloom is lightened by these lovely birds until next April, when spring is marked by the return of the swallows and house martins, and all is well with the world."