Frequently asked questions

Chemical repellents that may deter squirrels are available from some garden centres and hardware stores. If these are used, you must take care to read the label carefully and closely follow the instructions, as each product is prepared and approved for use against certain animals in a specific way. 

It is also important to remember that there are two species of squirrel in the UK; the red squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris and the grey squirrel Sciurus carolinensis. If you think you have a problem with squirrels, it is important to find out which species you are dealing with, as the red squirrel is fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. 

The red squirrel used to be common across the UK but is now restricted to certain parts of northern England, parts of Wales and much of Scotland. It can also be found on some offshore islands, such as the Isle of Wight, Isle of Anglesey and Brownsea Island. If you think you have red squirrels, your local wildlife trust will be able to give you advice about them. The red squirrel is smaller and lighter than the grey and is usually recognised by its colour and prominent ear tufts in winter. However, it should be noted that red squirrels have been recorded in many different colours. 

The grey squirrel originated in North America, and was introduced into parks and gardens in the UK during the 19th and 20th centuries. It is now widespread throughout much of England and Wales and is spreading across Scotland. The grey squirrel is larger and more robust than the red and, like the red, its colour is not always a good indication of its species, as it can vary. The ear tufts on the grey squirrel are less prominent than on the red. 

Please see our factsheet Living with grey squirrels (PDF 151KB) for more information.