If you hear heavy scampering, thumping or scratching in the loft early in the morning, and again late in the afternoon, you may have a grey squirrel living above your head. Late autumn and winter are when squirrels are most likely to move into roof spaces, looking for a warm, dry place to build a winter nest, known as a drey. In leafy parts of Nottingham such as Mapperley, Arnold and the streets around the city's parks, it is one of the most common problems we are asked about at this time of year.

This guide covers the signs of squirrels in the loft, the damage they cause, and what the law in England says about dealing with them. It is an area where good intentions can accidentally lead people to break the law.

Squirrel, rat or bird?

The first step is working out what is actually up there. The timing of the noise is a useful clue:

  • Grey squirrels are active during the day. Noise usually starts around dawn, quietens in the middle of the day and picks up again in the late afternoon. The sounds are heavy for a small animal, with running, rolling and thumping.
  • Rats and mice are mostly active at night. Scratching and scurrying in the evening and through the night points towards rodents.
  • Birds nesting in eaves are noisiest in spring and early summer, with chirping and fluttering rather than running.

Other signs of squirrels include shredded loft insulation, torn roofing felt, chewed timber around the eaves or fascia boards, and sightings of squirrels running along the roofline or jumping from nearby trees onto the roof. If you are unsure, we offer free pest identification. A photo of droppings or damage often tells us a lot.

How squirrels get into the roof

Squirrels are agile climbers and strong jumpers. They commonly get in through:

  • Gaps where the roof meets the fascia, soffit or bargeboard.
  • Rotten or loose fascia boards, which they can chew to enlarge.
  • Missing or slipped tiles and damaged ridge tiles.
  • Gaps around vent pipes and at the junction between a flat and pitched roof.
  • Overhanging branches that give them a short jump onto the roof.

The damage squirrels cause

Squirrels are rodents, and like rats and mice their teeth never stop growing. In a loft they will chew roof timbers, water tank insulation, stored belongings and, most seriously, electrical cables. Chewed wiring is a real fire risk. They also tear up insulation to build dreys, which reduces its effectiveness, and their droppings and urine can stain ceilings. A family of squirrels in a loft can do a surprising amount of damage over a single winter.

What UK law says about grey squirrels

The grey squirrel is not native to Britain. It was introduced from North America in the nineteenth century and has since replaced the native red squirrel across most of England. Because of the damage it does to woodland and its impact on red squirrels, it is listed as an invasive species.

Under the Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019, it is an offence to release a grey squirrel into the wild or to allow one to escape. That includes catching a squirrel in a live trap in your loft or garden and driving it to a park or woodland to let it go. Many people assume that live-trapping and releasing is the kind option, but in England it is not legal without a specific permit.

Any control must also be humane. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 and wider wildlife legislation mean that animals caught in traps must not be caused unnecessary suffering, and traps must be checked regularly. Certain methods, including many poisons, are not permitted for grey squirrels. This is one reason squirrel problems are best handled by trained professionals.

What you can do yourself

  • Trim back trees. Cut overhanging branches so there is a gap of a few metres between trees and the roof, where it is safe and permitted to do so. Check whether trees are covered by a tree preservation order or are in a conservation area before cutting.
  • Repair the roofline. Replace rotten fascia boards and secure loose tiles. Galvanised mesh can be used to cover gaps, as squirrels cannot chew through it.
  • Do not block holes while squirrels are inside. Trapping a squirrel inside the loft can lead to even more damage as it tries to get out, and it is also a welfare issue.
  • Take bird food away from the house. Use squirrel-resistant feeders placed well away from the building.
  • Protect stored items. Use sealed plastic boxes rather than cardboard.

How a professional approach works

A professional visit starts with an inspection of the roof and loft to confirm squirrel activity and find the entry points. Control is then carried out humanely and within the law, and once the squirrels have been dealt with, entry points are proofed so that other squirrels in the area do not simply move in to take their place. In areas with plenty of mature trees, proofing is the part that makes the biggest long-term difference.

When to call us

Call us if you are hearing daytime activity in the loft, have seen squirrels getting into the roof, or have found chewed cables or timbers. We cover Nottingham, Mapperley, Arnold and the surrounding areas seven days a week. Read more about our squirrel control service or request a personal quote.