With Epping Forest on the doorstep, Loughton is squirrel country. Oak, beech and hornbeam stand close to many family homes, and grey squirrels move easily from the woodland to gardens and then onto roofs. If you can hear running overhead in the morning or have seen one slipping under the tiles, we can sort it out.
Our technician surveys the house, finds where the squirrel is getting in and tells you plainly what has been damaged. Removal is lawful and humane, and we then proof the roofline so the loft does not simply become a home for the next one.
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In Loughton the trees do not stop at the forest boundary. Many streets have mature gardens, big hedges and overhanging branches, giving squirrels a ready-made route from the woodland to the roof. They are most active at dawn and dusk, which is why the first sign is often a rumble in the ceiling while you are having breakfast or winding down for the evening, and it can go on for weeks if nobody deals with it.
Family homes here often have generous lofts with plenty of insulation, which is exactly what a squirrel wants for a drey. Inside the IG10 area we regularly find shredded insulation, chewed timber and gnawed cable sheathing. The longer a squirrel stays, the more it tends to damage, so it is worth acting soon after you notice the first signs, rather than hoping the squirrel moves on by itself.
We start by surveying the loft and the outside of the building, looking for droppings, nesting material and the exact entry point. We talk through what we find and agree the plan with you before any work begins. That way you know what to expect, and nothing is done without your say-so at any stage of the visit, and you can ask as many questions as you like along the way.
Removal uses humane live-capture and other lawful methods. Laws apply to grey squirrels, and our technician follows them in how the animal is caught and dealt with. Afterwards we seal the gap, and where needed fit mesh, replace damaged boards or cap vents. In Loughton we will also suggest which overhanging branches are worth trimming back, since those are often the squirrel's favourite route onto the tiles.
Away from the loft, squirrels in Loughton gardens dig up bulbs, strip bark from young trees and take over feeders. On the busier streets near the high road they also take advantage of shop and flat roofs. Keep spilt food tidy, store bins securely and cut back branches near the house. Squirrels also gnaw garden furniture and fences when they are bored or hungry. We also cover Epping and Harlow.
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, they are common on forest edges and in the gardens beside them. Living near woodland does not mean you have to put up with them in the roof, though. Proofing the building is the practical answer, and we can advise on what is worth doing.
As soon as you can, because they gnaw timber and cables and soil insulation. Spring and summer nests may have young, which needs a careful approach. Book a survey and we will check the situation and explain the options before anything is done.
It helps, because a gap of a couple of metres between branch and roof makes the jump harder. It is rarely enough alone, as squirrels also use fences, walls and pipework. We combine advice on trees with proofing the roofline itself.
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.
