Scientists design contraceptives to limit grey squirrels

[2GB Racing]

On the BBC news web site, could be in place within two yrs apparently, Best get a few in the freezer for the BBQ before extinct in the UK.

 

[pappajohn]

I already have a contraceptive for squirrels......
A .22 air rifle.

 

[Mrsambulancekidd]

I really hope this is true, you can never be sure with the BBC.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

They are also putting it in the Russian water supplies.

 

[pete4x4]

They have done the same thing with pidgeons in cities to great effect, putting it in the seed

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[1ten]

Surprisingly tasty on the BBQ, don’t waste them once you shoot them.
I only told people what is was after they had tried it and it surprising how many then decided they didn’t like it.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

I really hope this is true, you can never be sure with the BBC.

At least they don’t use this method

 

[U.Toadifact]

How do the scientists know what size of contraceptive a particular squirrel needs?

 

[DuxDeluxe]

How do the scientists know what size of contraceptive a particular squirrel needs?

…..and how to fit them?

 

[Jamesh]

They are also putting it in the Russian water supplies.

Or the house of parliament....

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[Stag man]

…..and how to fit them?

Methinks the active ingredient might be chemical rather than physical
That being the case, my days of barbecuing the little blighters will be over
Got to be careful these days….

 

[Verteuil Man]

It's is supposed to be a hazelnut butter with which bait will be coated in. The bait will be put into feeding devices that do not allow bigger animals in. Not sure about smaller ones. I had lost interest by then.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Methinks the active ingredient might be chemical rather than physical
That being the case, my days of barbecuing the little blighters will be over
Got to be careful these days….

It is why Geneva dI’d not have a feral pigeon problem - contraceptive soaked corn spread out around the bases of the trees in the streets.

 

[Ingwe]

…..and how to fit them?

Their scratty little paws will struggle to squeeze the teat at the end without making a hole!

 

[Stag man]

It is why Geneva dI’d not have a feral pigeon problem - contraceptive soaked corn spread out around the bases of the trees in the streets.

Oh heck, I thought that was Tapas left out by the locals

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[Jev88]

I know it's sad that the "native" ( not really?) Red squirrel is being pushed out by the grey but is it worth the time and money?

 

[Otter Spotter]

I know it's sad that the "native" ( not really?) Red squirrel is being pushed out by the grey but is it worth the time and money?

Yes

 

[U.Toadifact]

Absolutely yes. We have a wood opposite Toadifact Towers and many of the trees have bark missing from the tops due to those tree rats. Our garden is liberally covered with song bird eggs neatly nibbled around one end by the murderous mammals. Our bird feeders are damaged quite frequently as their teeth can actually cut through thin gauge wire.

The only good grey squirrel is a dead grey squirrel.

 

[Silver-Fox]

I already have a contraceptive for squirrels......
A .22 air rifle.

Or a 12 bore

 

[Winger]

Or a 12 bore

Air rifle is more fun tho!

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[Orion]

I know it's sad that the "native" ( not really?) Red squirrel is being pushed out by the grey but is it worth the time and money?

100% it is. The damage they do to trees is immense. In the days when poisoning was allowed we spent countless hours in vulnerable woodland filling the specially designed hoppers - only grey squirrels could enter and were strong enough to operate the internal flap, thereby excluding larger and smaller animals. The regime was very effective but the hoppers were subject to damage by misguided persons, who shouldn’t have been in the private woodlands in the first place. A bit galling really as it was only by controlling the greys that the woodlands could flourish.

 

[Pausim]

I really hope this is true, you can never be sure with the BBC.

Oh ye of little faith. The BBC interviewed some of the scientists, they have the all the necessary ingredients, including feeding devices that grey but not red squirrels can get into. They hope to have the programme running in 2 years time.

Guns will only be needed to shoot humans who interfere with the feeding devices.

 

[Jev88]

Yes

This is the bit I half remembered and forgot the Red just about clung on in England? But had to be repopulated from Europe?
It is a battle we will never win to eradicate the grey though.


"Deforestation for agriculture, fuel and war caused red squirrels to become extinct in Ireland and South Scotland by the early 18th century, and rare in the Scottish Highlands by the early 19th century. Reds were reintroduced to Scotland from England, and in 1793 Scandinavian Reds were brought in to save the species."

 

[pappajohn]

They have done the same thing with pidgeons in cities to great effect, putting it in the seed

Pity they won't do it to seagulls.
They could sprinkle it on visitors fish n chips then when the gull swoops and nicks them they get a dose of powdered Durex.

 

[ChrisL]

I know it's sad that the "native" ( not really?) Red squirrel is being pushed out by the grey but is it worth the time and money?

Once you've had grey squirrels in your loft and have had to rewire because they've chewed all the insulation off the cables you would be extremely grateful for anything anyone did to get rid of them, not just the wiring but also replacing facia's and soffit's that they've chewed through.

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[Mrsambulancekidd]

Oh ye of little faith. The BBC interviewed some of the scientists, they have the all the necessary ingredients, including feeding devices that grey but not red squirrels can get into. They hope to have the programme running in 2 years time.

Guns will only be needed to shoot humans who interfere with the feeding devices.

I have since seen the report and I hope it works.

 

[Langtoftlad]

What if they're Catholic squirrels ?

 

[jockaneezer]

What if they're Catholic squirrels ?

Then they'll have to "Get off at Scotby !"

(An old local euphemism for the "withdrawal method" because when travelling by train from Newcastle, Scotby is the last station before Carlisle !

 

[jonasw19]

I reckon condom machines with a choice of large, medium, small and squirrel size.
Imagine a teenage squirrel going into a chemist and asking for a male assistant..
Do they have tiny wallets with a crumpled packet of three?
Bored of Dorchester

 

[DuxDeluxe]

I reckon condom machines with a choice of large, medium, small and squirrel size.
Imagine a teenage squirrel going into a chemist and asking for a male assistant..
Do they have tiny wallets with a crumpled packet of three?
Bored of Dorchester

Do the lady squirrels have a free choice in this? #freethesquirrel

P.S. I dislike tree rats as much as anyone from where I used to live - they are endangering the Reds population on Mersea

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