Colchester has an old centre, a university and a large rental market, which means a lot of roofs belonging to people who may not be in the building every day. Grey squirrels take advantage. A nest in an empty loft can go unnoticed until chewed cables or a stained ceiling gives it away. We find the problem and put it right.
Our technician surveys the property, identifies the entry point and explains the options. We work for owners, landlords and managing agents across the CO1 to CO4 postcodes and keep everyone concerned informed about what has been found and what is planned next.
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In a house let to students or tenants, nobody checks the loft regularly. A squirrel can move in, build a nest and have young long before anyone connects the scratching with a roof problem. Landlords in Colchester are often first alerted by a tenant who reports noise at dawn and dusk, or by an electrical fault caused by chewed wiring, by which time the nest may already have settled firmly inside the roof.
Our survey covers the loft, the eaves and the outside of the roof, and we write up plainly what we found so a landlord or agent has a clear record. We look for the nest, droppings, gnawed timber and damp, and note any cables that look damaged. Tenants are given sensible advice on what to avoid doing in the meantime, such as blocking holes themselves or going into the loft to investigate on their own.
Colchester's housing runs from older properties near the centre to newer estates, and the weak points vary. Older roofs often have worn timber, gaps under tiles and joins between extensions that a squirrel can enlarge with its teeth. Newer homes tend to have vents, soffits and bargeboards where a gap is easy to overlook, and the survey is designed to catch both kinds of weakness.
Because grey squirrels are subject to legal rules, the technician deals with the animal lawfully, using humane live-capture traps and other lawful methods where suitable. Traps are checked regularly. A captured grey squirrel cannot be released elsewhere, so we take care of that part for you and explain each stage as it happens, so that landlords, agents and tenants all know where things stand.
Removing the squirrel solves today's problem, but proofing keeps it solved. We repair damaged fascias, fill gaps and fit durable mesh at vents and openings so the roof is closed up again. For Colchester landlords, this can save repeat call-outs between lets. We also cover Clacton-on-Sea, Witham and Braintree, which is handy if you manage rental homes across the north of the county.
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.
Read the guide →
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. We explain what we found in the loft and on the roofline, where the squirrel was getting in and what has been done, so you have a clear account for your own records and for tenants or agents who ask.
Usually the landlord or managing agent arranges the work, as the problem is in the structure of the building. We can liaise with the tenant to arrange access, and we keep them informed so they know what is happening.
They can. Squirrels gnaw wires and insulation as they move about the loft, which can cause faults and, in the worst case, fire risk. If you suspect chewed cables, switch off the affected circuit if safe and ask a qualified electrician to check.
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.
