Action: Control grey squirrels
- We have captured no evidence for the effects of controlling grey squirrels on farmland wildlife.
'No evidence' for an action means we have not yet found any studies that directly and quantitatively tested this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.
This intervention involves controlling grey squirrels Sciurus carolinensis to benefit farmland wildlife. Grey squirrels are naturally found in North America but have been introduced to the UK and northern Italy (Linzey et al. 2008). Grey squirrels may cause damage to woodlands through bark stripping and in the UK they compete with the native red squirrel S. vulgaris for food and habitats and also carry the squirrel pox virus (Natural England 2011).
Linzey A.V., Koprowski J. & NatureServe (Hammerson G.) (2008) Sciurus carolinensis. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. Available at www.iucnredlist.org/details/42462/0. Accessed 31 January 2013.
Natural England (2011) Urban grey squirrels. Natural England Technical Information Note TIN056.