Mole & Squirrel Removal
and Rabbit Control
IN CLECKHEATON, BRADFORD, LEEDS and surrounding areas If you have a problem with moles, squirrels, rabbits or any other pest at your property, Sykes Pest Control can resolve it discreetly in our unmarked vehicles. We are available throughout Cleckheaton, Birstall, Bradford, Brighouse, Batley, Dewsbury, Leeds and the surrounding West Yorkshire areas.
Mole, Squirrel & Rabbit Removal Services
We provide expert mole, squirrel & rabbit removal services in Bradford, Leeds & surrounding West Yorkshire areas. Effectively treating and removing an infestation of moles, squirrels or rabbits requires a professional pest control company. At Sykes Pest Control our technicians have all the knowledge, experience and access to professional products that are not available to the general public.
Moles
It is estimated that there are between 35-40 million moles in the UK, however they are rarely seen as they spend almost their entire life underground. Moles belong to the mammal family Talpidae and the mole that lives in the UK is Tulpa Europaea or CommonMole.
The mole is the only mammal to live solely underground and is able to achieve this because they have a greater number of red blood cells than other mammals. This enables them to live in an environment where oxygen levels are low. Male moles are called ‘boars’ and female moles are called ‘sows’. A group of moles is called a ‘labour’.
Moles have a cylindrical body, strong shoulders and broad, spade-like limbs with claws. Its snout is pink, hairless and extremely sensitive. They measure around 14 cm in length and a 2.8cm tail. Their fur is soft, thick and silver-black in colour. Moles have very poor eye sight and no external ears, however they have excellent senses of smell and touch. Moles are industrious workers and phenomenal diggers and can shift 540 times their own body weight of earth per day tunnelling up to 200 metres in 24 hours. New tunnels are dug, throwing up more mole hills in search of food.
Moles are carnivores and feed almost exclusively on small invertebrates living underground such as earthworms and beetle and fly larvae. A moles’ saliva contains a toxin that can paralyze earth worms. In this why moles are
able to store their living prey in a specially constructed larder.
Rabbits
Rabbits are one of the UK’s most familiar mammals. What many people don’t realise is that rabbits are not a native to the UK. Rabbits were brought to the UK 900 years ago from France by the Normans. They were used as an important source of meat and fur. Many of these escaped and thrived, leading to the large populations we see today. Adult rabbits can grow up to 40cm long and weigh between 1.2kg and 2kg. A male rabbit is called a buck and a female rabbit is called a doe. Rabbits are resourceful and thrive in both rural and urban areas. They live in underground burrows and a group of burrows is called a warren. Rabbits feed on any available vegetation including grasses, growing trees, tree bark, small herbs, garden plants and agricultural crops.
The breeding season runs from January to late summer. They are prolific breeders and one adult female can produce up tp 7 litters of 3-7 young in one year. These young are then able to start reproducing at just a few months old. This high rate of reproduction is one of their main reasons for their success.
Rabbits are a major pest species in the UK with more and more habitats falling victim to the destruction that they cause. It is estimated that rabbits cost the UK agricultural industry £100 million a year through crop damage. Burrowing rabbits also pose a threat to both livestock and horses alike, animals breaking legs in rabbit holes is not uncommon. Without a doubt they are the number one pest species for farmers. Hundreds of thousands pounds worth of damage in the forestry, plantations and orchards industries is also caused by rabbit population. Ring barking, which is caused by rabbits gnawing the whole way around the base of a tree, is the most common problem. When a tree has its lower bark completely removed it will die. Tree guards can help to a degree but rabbits often chew through them causing destruction and the tree to eventually die.
Due to being so resourceful and such prolific breeders rabbits are thriving in urban and industrial areas. Rabbits tunnelling under paths, roadways and buildings can cause weakness and damage to the structures. Rabbits can cause fires and flooding due to their chewing and digging and is very much a health and safety issue. Rabbits cause all sorts of problems in gardens: they eat plants and flowers and dig scrapes in search of young shoots. Their burrows also risk injury to both humans and pets. Rabbits will often reside under decking, garden sheds and even houses, this could potentially cause issues such as subsidence and the risk of fire due to chewing electrical wires. Wild rabbits can also pass on diseases to pet rabbits.
Rabbit numbers can increase dramatically if not controlled. It is highly advisable that a professional pest control company is contacted and the correct advice sought. Here at Sykes Pest Control our technicians are fully trained and knowledgeable and follow the correct procedures in controlling rabbit populations.
Grey Squirrels
The grey squirrel is a common mammal in the UK. It is not native to the British Isles and was introduced from North America during the late 19th century. The grey squirrel has since thrived displacing the native red squirrel across most of England and Wales.
A male squirrel is called a buck and a female squirrel is called a doe. They can grow to a length of 24-26cm with a tail of between 19-24cm in length and weigh between 450-650 grams. Squirrels usually live in a drey (a nest made from twigs, leaves and moss) high in trees but are becoming more increasingly common living in and nesting in attic and roof spaces. A female squirrel typically produces 2 litters of 3-7 young each year. Grey squirrels eat seeds, buds, flowers, shoots, nuts, berries and fruit. They will also eat fungi and insects and have been known to occasionally eat birds eggs and fledglings. Squirrels are also known to strip bark from trees during the summer months.
Squirrels frequently enter building roof spaces and can inflict serious amounts of damage. They chew wood, water pipes, strip insulation from electrical wiring and tear up fibreglass insulation. This can be very dangerous and lead to fire or flooding.
Although there are products available to the general public for the control of squirrels, it is important to remember that you then have the responsibility of disposing of the trapped squirrels. This must be done humanely or you could be prosecuted. Grey squirrels are recognized as a foreign pest species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This legislation requires that any live trapped squirrels are killed and not released. For this reason it is recommended that a professional pest control company is contacted.
Here at Sykes Pest Control our technicians are highly trained, knowledgeable and all work is carried out safely and in accordance with the legal requirements.
Areas Covered
We provide pest control services in Cleckheaton and anywhere in the surrounding 25 mile radius.
Request Call Back
Call us on
Bradford: 01274 753 170 - Leeds: 01133 229 078 - Mobile: 07796 615260
If you need pest control services in Cleckheaton or anywhere in the surrounding 25 mile radius.
Call us on
Bradford: 01274 753 170
Leeds: 01133 229 078
Mobile: 07796 615260
If you need pest control services in Cleckheaton or anywhere in the surrounding 25 mile radius.
What Our Clients Say
At Sykes Pest Control, we offer quality pest removal services. You can rely on us to remove rats, bees and more. Check our customer reviews below to see what our customers have to say about us.
