Grey squirrels are quick to find a way into a roof space, and on the neighbourhood estates of Basildon one weak spot at the eaves is often repeated along a whole row of houses. If you hear scratching or thumping above the bedroom at dawn or dusk, a squirrel may well have built a nest in your loft. We survey, remove them lawfully and close the way in.
We look after family homes, flats and commercial units across the SS13 to SS16 postcodes. A technician visits, finds where the squirrel is getting in, explains what was found in plain terms and agrees the plan with you before any work begins.
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Squirrels are most active at first light and again in the early evening, so that is when you will usually hear them. Listen for running, scratching and the dull thud of something being dragged across the loft boards. In Basildon's many houses with a shared roofline, the noise can seem to travel from one home to the next, which is worth mentioning when we visit because neighbours may have the same visitor.
Other signs include chewed timber around the fascia, torn insulation pulled together into a ball of nesting material, gnawed cables and the odd lead pipe with tooth marks. In the garden you might notice bulbs dug up, bark stripped from young trees and feeders emptied overnight. Chewed wiring is a real concern in a loft, so it is sensible to have it looked at sooner rather than later.
Grey squirrels are subject to rules about how they can be dealt with, and a captured animal cannot simply be released somewhere else. Our technician handles this lawfully, using humane live-capture traps placed along the route the squirrel travels, plus other lawful methods where they are appropriate. Traps are checked regularly so that no animal is left waiting longer than necessary, and we do not rush a job where a nest may hold young.
In Basildon we usually begin with a survey of the loft, the eaves and the outside of the roof, looking for the entry point and for signs of how many animals are involved. Once the squirrel has been cleared, we can talk through removing soiled insulation and nesting material. Then the work moves on to the part that stops a repeat visit, which is proofing.
Removing the squirrel is only half of the job. Squirrels will gnaw a small gap wider, so we check fascias, soffits, vents, roof edges and any place where pipes or cables pass through. Damaged timber is repaired and gaps are filled with durable materials so they cannot return. Basildon has houses, flats and units of many ages, so the details differ and we tailor the work to each building. We also cover Billericay, Wickford and Canvey Island.
We cover towns and villages across Essex. Choose your area to see how squirrel control works locally.
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.
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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.
Read the guide →Timing is a good clue. Squirrels are active by day, with noise at dawn and dusk, while rats are mostly heard at night. Squirrels also leave larger nests of shredded insulation and gnaw wood. We confirm which animal it is during the survey before choosing a method.
Yes, it is sensible to keep dogs and cats out of the loft and away from any traps in the garden. Our technician places traps carefully, explains where they are and tells you when it is safe to go back in. Children should keep away from them too.
We close up the entry point and any gnawed gaps around the roofline so the squirrel cannot return. If the damage goes beyond that, such as chewed cables or badly soiled insulation, we will tell you what we have seen so you can decide how to deal with it.
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.
