Squirrel Admonishment

[Billhook]

15 minutes ago, Mick Dempsey said:

Rats pose a serious health risks to humans, squirrels don’t, 

Diseases Squirrels Carry

Squirrels are known to carry numerous diseases, though only a few are dangerous to humans. Some of the more common include tularemia, typhus, plague, and ringworm. Such diseases are transmitted through bites or other forms of direct contact with infected squirrels. Tularemia, typhus, and plague have symptoms that mimic the flu and can be deadly when left untreated. While all mammals are capable of getting rabies, squirrels are very rarely rabid.

Parasites and Disease

Other diseases squirrels transmit to humans come from the various parasites they carry. Rife with parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites, squirrels living in proximity to homes frequently pass these tiny pests on to both humans and pets. Some of the diseases humans can get from the parasites include Lyme disease, Encephalitis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

[Billhook]

Poor old rat took the blame for the Black Death

 

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/01/rats-plague-black-death-humans-lice-health-science/

[Mick Dempsey]

Come off it! All wild animals have parasites. 

 

Here’s a discussion about it from a few years back.

 

 

Edited May 30, 2019 by Mick Dempsey

[difflock]

 

[Gary Prentice]

4 hours ago, Billhook said:

Parasites and Disease

Other diseases squirrels transmit to humans come from the various parasites they carry. Rife with parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites, squirrels living in proximity to homes frequently pass these tiny pests on to both humans and pets. Some of the diseases humans can get from the parasites include Lyme disease, Encephalitis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever 

 

So if the little fella looks American, handle with care?

[Baldbloke]

I can see any attempt to prevent the culling of grey squirrels causing a lot of conflict with groups concerned with red squirrel conservation. I'd like to know how an air rifle shooter could demonstrate being 'properly qualified'. Another possible opportunity for NPTC, perhaps?

If you can’t tell the difference between red or grey squirrels you shouldn’t be shooting at anything other than cans

[Baldbloke]

They are a good predator for greys which tend to spend more time on the ground than reds. Reds are also lighter than greys so can get out further on the branches to evade the pine martens.

Having had two lots of chooks killed by Martins in three years I’d quite like them added to the general licence

[Baldbloke]

In Ireland the pine marten is coming back - was endangered for a while but they multiplying again. They are predating on the grey squirrels, as the grey is slower, and as a consequence the red squirrel is also coming back.

They are certainly over as far as Turriff in NE Scotland too. See them regularly squashed or crossing roads up here. Kill chickens too[emoji1304]

[difflock]

I was told by someone who knows, that here in NI, the resurgence of the Pine Marten has, for whatever reason, boosted the number of Reds about.?

[Billhook]

20 hours ago, difflock said:

 

The trouble with these devices is that squirrels think it is fun!