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# see above
i've just woke up and mixed up red and greys. greys are severe pests
(I helped save b3ta! applehead herp derp, Sun 18 Jul 2004, 10:42, archived)
# But what are you saying makes
grey squirrels a pest? They don't do any damage to farmland, and squirrel TWOCing of tractors is at an all time low this year.
(I helped save b3ta! maiden is filmed before a live studio audience, Sun 18 Jul 2004, 10:44, archived)
# Actually,
the grey squirrels aren't indigenous to the UK, and were brought here from the US in the mid 1800's (I think). They used to think that the Red Squirrels were sick and dying and that the Greys were taking their place (i.e. just filling in the gaps). However, new research has shown that they're basically bullying for position with the Reds and winning. Not long until the poor Reds are extinct from Britain.
(I helped save b3ta! caldini Have you seen my polar bear?, Sun 18 Jul 2004, 10:55, archived)
# Well I already knew that grey squirrels aren't indigenous
the question is do they actually constitute a pest because they were introduced, or simply because farmers like to shoot things, which they then label as pest?

Rats spead disease, mice eat grain supplies, foxes (it can be argued - although I don't believe it's quite an epidemic) do attack chickens. But suqirrels, what damage do they do to farms?
(I helped save b3ta! maiden is filmed before a live studio audience, Sun 18 Jul 2004, 11:00, archived)
# They can finish off
a field of wheat in seconds. Like bloody locusts they are.

Bastards.

No, I see what you're saying - are they a farm pest? - and I'd say no, they're not (unless you farm hazelnuts).
(I helped save b3ta! caldini Have you seen my polar bear?, Sun 18 Jul 2004, 11:07, archived)
# Arf!
My point proven ;)
(I helped save b3ta! maiden is filmed before a live studio audience, Sun 18 Jul 2004, 11:12, archived)
# Google is our friend.
"Both red and grey squirrels do damage to woodlands, particularly through stripping bark from trees to get at the sap, but with increasing conservation awareness, foresters have come to tolerate the native species. The immigrant grey, however is regarded in a very different light and marked down as an unwelcome pest."

Seems it's a bit of racism/patriotism that's gotten them greys marked as a pest.
(Kendal, Sun 18 Jul 2004, 11:17, archived)
# Yes that would be the BSP point of view
British Squirrel Party
but there is no proof that Grey Squirrels actually sponge off the state, and seek false asylum.
(I helped save b3ta! maiden is filmed before a live studio audience, Sun 18 Jul 2004, 11:25, archived)