[paul cotter (OP)]

I have a problem with squirrels invading my attic. I have sealed up any gaps I can find but they still get in. These are the rarer red squirrels which have been making a comeback in this area. Because of their endangered status we regularly feed them with peanuts and I realise this could be encouraging them. I am not prepared to do anything that may harm them, in any way - it's illegal to do so, anyway. For a while the placing of soiled cat trays in the attic frightened them away but they seem to have developed immunity to this tactic. 

[alancalverd]

Sounds like one of the nicer problems to have, though its severity depends on the value you place on the other contents of the attic. If red squirrels were to eat my christmas decorations, I'd save a lot of seasonal effort and have something interesting to talk about over the cremated turkey.

The official body for dealing with such an invasion over here is Natural England who can advise on the humane resettlement of protected species, and know who is licensed to handle them. I presume the National Parks and Wildlife Service can do the same in Ireland.

[paul cotter (OP)]

You hit the nail on the head with that reply, Alan. Prior to my sealing job ~2 years ago we had a mass invasion with them pissing and pooping all over the attic- the smell drifting down was horrendous in some of the rooms. At the moment my guess is one individual and the main problem is noise at night, no detectable aroma. Nothing of value up there, a lot of old toys which will never be used again and I guess about 150kg of old electronic junk. As regard xmas decorations which are also stored there, the squirrel(s) can have them as they are of no value to me(Origin will be horrified by this degree of delinquency). No cremated turkey here, we are all vegan. And thanks for your helpful advice.