Squirrels in your loft are not a problem that resolves itself. Grey squirrels are territorial, destructive, and persistent — once they find a warm nesting site with easy access, they will return year after year unless the entry points are permanently sealed by a professional roofer or loft specialist.
This guide explains how to confirm you have squirrels, the legal requirements for removal, what professional trapping involves, and the proofing measures needed to stop them coming back. For immediate help, visit our Squirrel Control page.
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Confirm You Have Squirrels, Not Rats
Before taking action, confirm which pest you are dealing with — treatment approaches differ significantly. The most reliable indicator is timing: squirrels are diurnal (active during the day), so if you hear scratching and thumping noises in the morning and late afternoon, it is almost certainly squirrels. Rats and mice are nocturnal and active at night.
Squirrel droppings are similar in size to rat droppings — up to 12mm long — but are rounder and lighter brown in colour. They may contain visible fragments of seeds and nuts. Rat droppings are darker, more cylindrical, and have blunt ends.
Squirrel damage tends to be more aggressive and visible than rat damage. Squirrels shred large areas of loft insulation to build nests, leave piles of nutshells and nesting debris, and gnaw through thick timbers and cables. For a detailed comparison, see our squirrels vs rats guide.
The Legal Position — What You Can and Cannot Do
Grey squirrels are classified as an invasive non-native species in the UK. Under the Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019, it is illegal to release a trapped grey squirrel back into the wild. This means that if you trap a grey squirrel, you are legally required to humanely dispatch it — you cannot relocate it to a park or woodland.
This legal requirement is one of the main reasons professional removal is recommended. A trained pest controller will handle trapping and dispatch in full compliance with the law, using approved humane methods. Attempting to trap and release squirrels yourself is both illegal and ineffective — released squirrels will either return or simply create problems elsewhere.
Red squirrels are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. However, red squirrels are extremely rare in London and Essex and are not a pest species. If you encounter a red squirrel, contact your local wildlife trust. For species identification help, see our squirrel species guide.
Why DIY Squirrel Removal Fails
The most dangerous DIY mistake is blocking the entry hole while squirrels are still inside. A trapped squirrel will panic and chew through plasterboard ceilings, electrical cables, and water pipes to find an exit — causing far more damage than the original problem. Never seal an entry point until all squirrels have been confirmed removed.
Ultrasonic deterrent devices are widely sold as squirrel repellents but have no proven long-term effectiveness. Squirrels quickly habituate to ultrasonic noise. Mothballs, peppermint oil, and other home remedies are equally ineffective in a well-ventilated loft space.
Shop-bought cage traps can work, but placement is critical. Squirrels are cautious and will avoid a poorly positioned trap for days. Professional technicians place traps along confirmed squirrel routes — on joists near entry points, alongside gnaw marks, and close to nesting areas — where squirrels are most active and least suspicious.
Professional Squirrel Trapping — How It Works
A professional squirrel removal starts with a full loft and roof survey. The technician identifies all entry points, assesses the level of activity from droppings, gnaw marks, and nesting material, and determines the number of squirrels likely present.
Professional cage traps are placed along confirmed squirrel routes inside the loft — typically near entry points, along joists, and close to nesting areas. Traps are baited and checked regularly over a period of 5 to 10 days. All trapped grey squirrels are humanely dispatched in compliance with UK law.
Once the technician is confident all squirrels have been removed, a detailed proofing report is provided identifying every entry point that needs to be sealed. You will need a loft or roofing professional to carry out the proofing work — our technician will specify exactly what materials and methods should be used so the job is done correctly.
A follow-up inspection 2 to 4 weeks later confirms that no further squirrel activity is present and checks whether proofing has been completed and is holding.
Need professional help with squirrel pest control? BuzzKill Pest Control offers fast, effective treatment with no call-out charge.
Proofing — The Only Permanent Solution
Trapping removes the current squirrels, but without sealing entry points, new squirrels will move into the same space — often within days. Squirrels are territorial, and an empty nesting site with easy access is immediately attractive to other squirrels in the area.
Effective proofing must be carried out by a loft or roofing professional using materials that squirrels cannot chew through. We recommend heavy-gauge galvanised steel mesh (16-gauge or heavier), steel plates, and cement to block gaps under eaves, around chimneys, along soffits, and at ventilation openings. Chicken wire, plastic mesh, and expanding foam are not squirrel-proof and will fail.
Tree branches overhanging or touching the roof must also be cut back to at least 2 metres clearance. Squirrels can jump up to 2.5 metres horizontally, so generous clearance is essential. Your BuzzKill technician will include tree management recommendations in the proofing report where applicable.
Preventing Squirrels From Returning
After trapping and proofing, ongoing vigilance is important. Inspect your roof, soffits, and eaves at least twice a year — in spring and autumn — for new gaps or damage. Squirrels are persistent and will exploit any new weakness in the building envelope.
If you feed birds, use squirrel-proof feeders and clean up spilled seed regularly. Ground-feeding attracts squirrels to your garden and encourages them to explore your property for nesting sites. Store all animal feed, bird seed, and pet food in heavy-duty sealed containers.
Check your loft insulation annually for signs of new damage. Even after proofing, the scent left by previous squirrel nesting can attract others to investigate. If you notice any new scratching noises during daytime hours, act quickly — early intervention is always simpler and cheaper than dealing with an established colony.
When to Call a Professional
If you hear daytime scratching in your loft, see squirrels on your roof, or find gnaw damage, droppings, or shredded insulation in your loft space, call a professional pest controller immediately. The longer squirrels are left, the more damage they cause — and they breed twice a year, so a pair can quickly become a family.
BuzzKill provides professional squirrel trapping from £130, including a full survey, trapping period, detailed proofing report, and follow-up inspection. We do not carry out proofing work ourselves but provide clear, specific advice so your loft or roofing professional knows exactly what to do. Call 0203 468 1999 for a free quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I trap squirrels myself?
You can legally trap grey squirrels, but you must humanely dispatch them — it is illegal to release them. Professional trapping is more effective because technicians know exactly where to place traps for maximum success.
How long does it take to get rid of squirrels?
Professional trapping typically takes 5 to 10 days. Proofing should be carried out by a roofer or loft specialist as soon as all squirrels are confirmed removed. A follow-up inspection 2 to 4 weeks later checks that the problem is resolved.
What happens if I block the hole with squirrels still inside?
A trapped squirrel will chew through plasterboard ceilings, electrical cables, and water pipes to escape. Never block an entry point until all squirrels have been professionally removed.
Do ultrasonic deterrents work on squirrels?
No. Independent testing consistently shows that ultrasonic devices have no lasting effect on squirrels. They may cause brief avoidance, but squirrels habituate quickly. Physical proofing by a roofing professional is the only proven long-term solution.
Will squirrels come back after removal?
Yes — unless entry points are sealed by a loft or roofing professional using galvanised steel mesh and plates. Other squirrels will investigate the same nesting site and move in if access is still available.
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