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 →Sidmouth has plenty of older houses, guest accommodation and retirement homes, and the roofline of an older building often has more ways in than anyone realises. Whether you own a home or run a guest house, we can look at what is going on overhead and explain your options plainly.
Noises overhead at dawn and dusk
The classic sign of a squirrel in the loft is scratching, thumping and scampering in the early morning and again towards evening. That is different from mice, which tend to be quieter and more active in the dead of night. If you hear heavier footsteps in daylight hours, a squirrel is the likelier visitor.
Other clues include chewed wood around the eaves, torn insulation pulled into a bundle for nesting, nuts or debris in the roof space, and gnawed cables. Gnawed wiring is a real concern because it can lead to electrical faults, so it is worth having someone look at it sooner rather than later in Sidmouth homes with older wiring.
How we deal with squirrels at a Sidmouth property
A visit starts with a survey of the roof, eaves, soffits and loft, so we know where they are getting in and whether there is a drey with young. Grey squirrels are covered by rules about how they can be dealt with, so we use humane live-capture and other lawful methods and handle everything correctly.
Removing the squirrels is only half the job. Unless the entry point is found and closed, another one will find the same gap. We fill and proof the roofline, vents and any damaged timber, and we tell you what we have done so you can see what has been sealed. Where Sidmouth rooflines are old, we are careful to repair rather than force.
Keeping squirrels away afterwards
Prevention in Sidmouth is mostly about the building. Keep branches trimmed back from the roof where it is sensible to do so, make sure vents have sound mesh, and repair loose fascia or soffit boards promptly. Squirrels also come looking for food, so keep garden feeders tidy. We also cover Sidford, Sidbury and Budleigh Salterton in EX10 and nearby, and we are happy to advise if you are not sure what is making the noise.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if it is squirrels or rats in my Sidmouth loft?
Timing is a good guide. Squirrels are active by day, mostly around dawn and dusk, and their footsteps are heavier and bouncier. Rats are more active at night and tend to scratch and gnaw. Either way, a survey will confirm what is there and how it got in.
Is it legal to trap grey squirrels in Sidmouth?
Grey squirrels are subject to rules, so it is not something to improvise. A trained technician uses humane live-capture and other lawful methods, and handles the animals properly. That is one good reason not to try it yourself with a trap from a shop.
Will you block the hole while the squirrels are still inside?
No. Sealing the entry point with squirrels in the loft would trap them, and young could be left behind. We clear the loft first, check for a drey, and only then proof the roofline so that nothing can get back in.