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 work across the TQ8 area. Describe what you have heard or found, and we will explain what a visit would involve before anything is booked.
Empty properties and quiet roofs
The trouble with a second home is that nobody is there to hear the early signs. Squirrels can settle into a loft within days and keep working at timber, insulation and cables for weeks. By the time the owners arrive they may find droppings, shredded material or gnawed wiring.
Salcombe's steep streets and varied rooflines also give squirrels easy routes. Trees near the buildings, overhanging branches and neighbouring roof edges let them reach eaves and soffits with very little effort. A cheap bit of prevention, like trimming branches back, can make a real difference.
How we deal with squirrels at a Salcombe property
We start with a survey of the whole building, in the loft and around the outside, looking for the entry point, evidence of a nest and the routes the squirrels use. If you are away, we can often arrange access with a neighbour or letting agent, as long as you confirm that with us first.
Grey squirrels are protected by legal rules about how they can be dealt with, so a technician carries out the work. We use humane live-capture and other lawful methods, then proof the roofline so the building is secured. Advice on cleaning and on future checks is part of the job.
Covering Salcombe and nearby
We cover Salcombe and the surrounding South Hams coast, and we also work in Dartmouth and Ivybridge. This includes waterfront businesses, guest houses and agents who manage several properties. Tell us how many buildings you need checked and we will plan the visits together.
Frequently asked questions
My Salcombe holiday home is empty most of the winter. How can I tell if squirrels have got in?
Look for droppings in the loft, chewed timber or wiring, shredded insulation and gaps at the eaves. A neighbour or agent may hear scratching at dawn or dusk. A visit by us can check the roofline and tell you quickly.
Can a letting agent arrange squirrel control for several properties?
Yes. Agents and owners often ask us to check more than one building. Give us the addresses and access details and we will plan the visits so each property is surveyed, treated where needed, and proofed against further entry.
Will trimming trees help keep squirrels off my roof?
It helps. Squirrels use overhanging branches as bridges to the roof, so cutting back anything close to the building makes access harder. It will not stop a determined squirrel if there is a gap, so proofing the roofline matters as well.