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 survey first, so we know what we are dealing with and where it got in. Then we agree a plan with you, carry out the work lawfully and make sure the roof is sealed against a return visit.
Family homes spreading inland
As Paignton has grown inland, many family homes now back onto gardens with mature trees, and branches that reach the roof give squirrels an easy bridge. A gap beside a chimney, a lifted ridge tile or a thin soffit board is all they need. Once inside, they tear up insulation to build a drey, usually in a warm, quiet corner.
You may hear them rather than see them, mostly in the morning and early evening. Other clues are chewed wood, droppings in the loft and the odd damp patch where insulation has been disturbed. The sooner we look, the less repair work is likely to be needed.
Seafront accommodation and businesses
Paignton has a long seafront with plenty of holiday accommodation, and larger buildings often have roof spaces and flat-roof edges that are hard to check. A squirrel in the roof of a guest house can mean noise complaints and chewed wiring. We work quietly and plan visits around your guests wherever possible.
Our approach is the same for any building in Paignton: a survey, humane live-capture and other lawful methods, then proofing. Grey squirrels are covered by legal rules, and we handle the lawful side so you do not have to think about it. We explain every step as we go.
Keeping squirrels away afterwards
Once the animals have gone, proofing is what keeps them away. That means closing the entry point and checking the rest of the roofline, so a second route does not open up. In TQ3 and TQ4 it also helps to cut back branches near the roof where you can and keep garden feeders tidy. We also cover Torquay, Brixham and Cockington if you are just outside Paignton.
Frequently asked questions
What do squirrels sound like in a loft?
Usually quick scampering, thumps and sometimes scratching or gnawing, mostly around dawn and dusk. Rats are more often heard at night. If you are unsure, a survey will tell you which animal it is before anything is set.
Will you fix the hole squirrels came through in Paignton?
We find the entry point and proof it, closing gaps and covering weak spots along the roofline. If it needs a roofer or carpenter for a larger repair, we will tell you what we have found so you can arrange it.
Can squirrels get into the walls as well as the loft?
Sometimes, through cavities and gaps behind fascias and soffits. They tend to prefer the loft, but they follow gaps and voids. During the survey we look at the whole roofline and any other likely routes inside.