Mammal Control from Essex Green Shoots Essex Pest Control

Mammals are particularly hard to control often requiring special licences and expertise. At Essex Green Shoots we not only have over 40 years of country side management experience but we also have all the necessary licences to control the majority of mammals.

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Problems Caused By Mammals

Not only do foxes pose a threat to farm wildlife such as chickens and newborn lambs, they are also a risk to humans and their pets. Foxes can carry diseases such as mange and scabies, which are potentially fatal to dogs.

Moles and squirrels are pests due to the structural damage they cause. Molehills cause tremendous damage to lawns and other grassy areas, soil, drainage systems and farm machinery, while squirrels can gnaw their way into your loft area, damaging cables, insulation and joists, not to mention anything that is stored there.

Rabbits cause millions of pounds of damage every year to crops, flowers and gardens, and can undermine the structural safety of a building with their warrens.

Mammal Identification

Foxes
The Fox is a member of the dog family and, as the image above shows, resembles a small dog in appearance, with reddish fur and usually a white tip to the tail.
The sexes are similar in appearance but the male (dog) is usually larger, weighing about 6½ kg and measuring 110 cm from tip of nose to tip of tail and standing about 40 cm high at the shoulder. The female (vixen) is slightly smaller, weighing about 5½ kg.

Rabbits
Originally from north-west Africa and Iberia, the Rabbit is now found throughout most of Western Europe. Introduced to Britain by the Normans in the 12th century, rabbits are now widespread in habitats that provide suitable vegetation for grazing & well-drained ground for burrowing.

Moles
Moles are solitary in their habits and live almost entirely under ground in a tunnel system that may cover an area of 400-2000 sq. meters. The exact size will depend upon food availability.
They feed mainly on earthworms but also on various other invertebrates including slugs and insect larvae. Much of the prey is caught when it falls into the tunnel system that acts as a pitfall trap. The mole patrols the tunnel system almost regularly throughout the day, with activity periods of 4-4½ hours alternating with 3½-4 hours rest. One of the periods of activity is often just after sunrise and another just before sunset.

Squirrels
The Grey Squirrel was deliberately introduced to Britain from North America on several occasions between 1876 and 1929. Since then it has spread throughout most of mainland England and Wales, though it is still absent from much of Scotland and from offshore islands including the Isle of Wight.