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 EX8 area for householders, landlords and businesses. Tell us what you have seen or heard, and we will explain how we would approach it.
Family homes, garden trees and shared rooflines
Plenty of Exmouth streets are lined with family houses and gardens that have mature trees, hedges and food put out for wildlife. That is a good living for a squirrel. From a branch it is a short hop to a roof edge, and from there a loose fascia or a broken tile gives access to the loft.
Houses that share a roofline, extensions with flat roofs and garages with timber soffits all create more routes. Squirrels also like the quiet of a loft that has little traffic, so a spare space full of boxes is just the sort of place they choose for a drey.
Surveying and proofing in Exmouth
We look at the loft, the eaves, the roof coverings and nearby trees, and we try to pin down the entry point and any sign of a nest. For an Exmouth holiday let or rental, we can work around guest changeovers, and we can also deal with managing agents handling several addresses.
Grey squirrels are controlled by law, so the work is done lawfully by a technician, using humane live-capture and other lawful methods. The last step is proofing: sealing gaps, protecting vulnerable edges and advising on what to repair, so another squirrel does not simply take over the space.
Squirrel work around Exmouth
We work in Exmouth and the surrounding area, and we also cover Budleigh Salterton, Dawlish and Topsham. If squirrels are damaging a business premises, such as a cafe store room or a seafront building, let us know and we will arrange the visit to cause as little disruption as possible.
Frequently asked questions
Can squirrels get in through a flat roof or extension?
Yes. Flat roofs and extensions often have gaps at the edges, fascia boards and joins with the main building. Squirrels chew soft or aged material to widen them. We check these areas as part of every roofline survey.
I run a holiday let in Exmouth. Can you work around guest changeovers?
We will certainly try. Tell us your changeover days and access arrangements when you ring and we will plan the survey and any follow-up around them, so guests are not disturbed and the property is ready for the next arrivals.
Is a squirrel in the loft dangerous?
The main risks are damage to wiring and insulation, and droppings and nesting material left behind. Squirrels will not usually come into living areas, but a gnawed cable is a fire risk, so do not leave it. Get the loft checked.