Advice
Grey Squirrels in the Loft or Roof Space
Grey squirrels can move into a loft to nest and chew, and because of the damage and welfare issues involved, professional help is usually the safest route.
Read the guide →We cover the TQ6 area for homes and businesses. A quick description of what you have noticed is enough to start, and we will explain how a visit would work.
Cottages, holiday lets and hidden voids
In Dartmouth, older cottages often have irregular rooflines, small roof voids and gaps where timber meets stone. Squirrels exploit all of these, and a quiet void above a bedroom is an ideal place for a drey. Because the roofs are steep and the streets narrow, you may never see the animal on the roof, only hear it indoors.
Holiday lets add a further problem. A property that stands empty for stretches can have squirrels settled in before anyone notices. Guests who hear scratching overhead will not be impressed, and gnawed wiring is a hazard. Regular roofline checks between lettings are a sensible habit.
Surveying and proofing a Dartmouth property
Our first job is a proper survey, inside the loft and out at the roofline, chimney and any neighbouring trees. Access on steep Dartmouth streets can be awkward, so we plan ladders and equipment accordingly and tell you in advance what we need.
We use humane live-capture and other lawful methods, and a technician handles the legal side of working with grey squirrels. After that comes the part that really counts: closing the entry gaps and strengthening vulnerable spots so the property is properly proofed. We also advise on clearing droppings and soiled insulation.
Squirrel callouts around Dartmouth
We work across Dartmouth and the surrounding area, and we also cover Brixham and Totnes. Whether it is a private home, a guest house or a waterfront business, give us a call, describe the noises and where they are coming from, and we will take it from there.
Frequently asked questions
I rent out a holiday cottage in Dartmouth and guests heard scratching. What should I do?
Get the roof void checked promptly. Scratching at dawn and dusk is typical of squirrels, but it could be rats or mice. We can survey the property, confirm the pest, deal with it, and proof the entry point before the next guests arrive.
Can squirrels get in through a chimney or old stonework?
Yes. Gaps around chimney flashing, loose pointing, slipped slates and soffit joints are all used. Older stone buildings can have several weak spots, which is why we check the whole roofline rather than just the area where you hear the noise.
Do you remove the squirrel only or fix the gap as well?
Both matter. We deal with the squirrel humanely and lawfully, then proof the entry point so another does not follow. Without that second step the same hole usually gets used again, especially where trees or neighbouring roofs give easy access.