If something heavy is scampering across your ceiling in daylight, grey squirrels are a likely cause, and acting early limits the damage they can do.
Grey squirrels are agile climbers and will use trees, fences, wires and drainpipes to reach a roof. Once there, they look for a gap at the eaves, under loose tiles, behind fascias or around vents, and they can enlarge a small opening by gnawing. A loft is warm, dry and sheltered, which makes it attractive for nesting. Properties near mature trees, such as those on the edge of Epping Forest, in leafy suburbs and in villages with old oaks, are most exposed, but squirrels also use town rooflines.
Timing is a useful clue. Squirrels are active in daylight, so scrabbling, thumping and rolling noises in the early morning and again late afternoon usually point to them, whereas rats tend to be heard at night. The sound is often heavier and more bouncy than mice. You may also spot chewed timber around the roof edge, a squirrel running along a gutter or a ball of leaves and twigs in a corner of the loft.
Start by confirming what you are hearing. Note the time of day, how often it happens and whether any squirrels are seen on the roof. A look from the ground with binoculars can help you spot an entry point. Reduce the pull by trimming branches that reach the roof, if you can do so safely from the ground, and clear spilt nuts and feed from beneath feeders. Please do not climb onto the roof or use unsteady ladders to look for gaps, as falls cause far more harm than squirrels do.
Grey squirrels can have young in a loft, with the main nesting periods in late winter to spring and again in summer. If you block the hole while young are inside, the mother cannot return to feed them, and the young suffer. For that reason, never seal an entry point until you know the loft is empty. A professional can check for nests, deal with the squirrels responsibly and make sure that the loft is clear before it is repaired.
Do not put poison in the loft, and do not try to catch squirrels with improvised traps. Poison risks pets, other wildlife and slow, unpleasant deaths that leave a smell in the roof. Squirrels are strong and will bite and scratch if cornered, so avoid reaching toward one with bare hands. Do not plug holes in a hurry or use foam to seal them, since squirrels will chew through quickly. Be careful too around loft wiring if you see gnawing, and switch off and ask an electrician if in doubt.
Call us as soon as you suspect squirrels in the roof. They will not leave on their own while the loft stays warm and quiet, and damage tends to increase the longer they stay. A technician will inspect the roof, work out how they are getting in, remove them using lawful, humane and effective methods, and check the loft for nests, droppings and damage. We cover homes and businesses throughout Essex, from older houses to new-build estates.
Once the loft is clear, the entry points need proofing with strong, chew-resistant materials, fitted properly rather than patched. Look at fascias, soffits, ridge details, vents and any spot where a cable or pipe passes through the roof. Cutting back branches that overhang or touch the roof reduces the number of easy routes. It is also worth having the loft cleaned and any soiled insulation replaced, because the scent of old nests can draw new squirrels or other pests in.
If you would rather not deal with it yourself, call us on 01245 327 274 or send an enquiry below. You can also read more about our squirrel control service.
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Squirrels gnaw constantly, and in a loft that can mean damaged timber, soiled insulation and chewed cables long before anyone sees the animal.
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Most household pests leave clues behind, and learning to read droppings, damage, noises and timing will help you decide what you are dealing with and what to do next.
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Rats are secretive and mostly active after dark, so the first clues are usually small marks and sounds rather than a sighting of the animal itself.
Read the guide →Not until you are certain nothing is inside. Sealing the hole can trap adults or leave young without their mother. Squirrels will also chew through weak patches. A professional will confirm the loft is empty first, then repair the entry point with hard-wearing materials so it holds.
They can be, because squirrels gnaw wiring and the damage may not be visible. If you hear squirrels, notice chewed cables, flickering lights or a burning smell, switch off at the consumer unit if it is safe and speak to a qualified electrician as well as having the squirrels dealt with.
Sometimes they move on, but a warm, dry loft is a good place to stay and they often return. Waiting usually means more nesting material, more droppings and more gnawing. It is kinder and cheaper in the long run to deal with the problem early and properly.
Time of day is the strongest clue. Squirrels are noisy and active in daylight, especially early morning, while rats and mice are mostly heard at night. Size and sound also help, as squirrels sound heavier. If you are unsure, we can inspect the loft and tell you exactly what is there.
Tell us what you have found and roughly where it is. We will come back to you — or call 01245 327 274 if it is urgent.
