Braintree mixes a town centre, retail areas and industrial estates with newer housing and farmland close by, and grey squirrels move through all of it. They nest in lofts and eaves, but they also turn up in the roof spaces of shops and units, where gnawed cables can cause real trouble. We deal with them lawfully and humanely.
Whether it is a home or a business, our technician surveys the building, finds the entry point and agrees a plan with you. We work across the CM7 postcode and the surrounding villages, and we keep disruption to a minimum.
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At a house, the first sign is usually scratching or running overhead at dawn and dusk. At a shop or unit, it is often a blocked vent, a dislodged roof sheet, a chewed cable or a mess in a storeroom. Braintree's retail areas and industrial estates have plenty of flat roofs, service ducts and cladding gaps that a squirrel can use as a way in.
Newer estates sit beside farmland and gardens with tall trees, so squirrels have easy access to roofs along fences and branches. Torn insulation and a pile of shredded material are typical signs of a nest. Gnawed wiring is the biggest risk for any building, so if you find chewed cables we suggest getting a qualified electrician to look at them as well.
We always begin with a survey. In the loft or roof void we look for the nest, droppings, chewed timber and the point where the squirrel comes and goes, and outside we check the roofline from the ground and, where safe, close up. That tells us how many animals are involved and which method suits the building, whether it is a house loft, a shop roof or a unit with cladding and ducting.
Grey squirrels are subject to legal rules, so our technician handles the work lawfully. We use humane live-capture traps and other lawful methods where suitable, check them regularly and explain what is happening at each visit. For commercial premises in Braintree we can work around opening times and keep the work discreet so customers and staff are not disturbed, and we keep whoever manages the site informed throughout.
Once the squirrel has gone from your Braintree property, the job is to make sure nothing else can follow. We repair gnawed fascias and soffits, fill gaps and fit hard-wearing mesh over vents and openings, choosing materials to suit the building. A business may also want advice on regular roof checks. We also cover Witham, Great Dunmow and Chelmsford, so if you manage property across the area we can look at those too.
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.
Read the guide →
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 →Yes. Squirrels can get into roof voids, cladding and service ducts on commercial buildings as easily as into house lofts. We survey the premises, remove the animals lawfully and humanely, and proof the entry points. We can arrange visits that suit the way you operate.
It depends on the number of animals and how often the traps are checked, so we do not promise a set time. Some jobs are done within a few visits, while a larger nest or repeat access can take longer. We tell you what to expect.
Grey squirrels are not protected like native wildlife, but they are covered by rules on how they are caught and handled, and they cannot be released. Our technician deals with this lawfully, so you do not need to worry about getting it wrong.
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.
