Squirrel Control London

Scratching above the ceiling at dawn, and again at dusk. That's the classic sign of grey squirrels in a London loft, and it rarely sorts itself out.

Squirrels get in through gaps at the eaves, loose roof tiles, and the corners where fascia boards meet the wall. Once inside, they shred insulation for nesting and chew wiring and timber to keep their teeth worn down. Chewed cables in a loft are a fire risk as well as a repair bill, which is why squirrels are worth dealing with quickly.

Signs you have squirrels, not rats

• Noise mostly in the early morning and early evening, when squirrels are active. Rats are busiest at night
• Heavier thumps and running, rather than light scratching
• Shredded loft insulation and nesting material near the eaves
• Gnawed fascia boards, soffits or a hole in the roofline you can see from the garden
• Squirrels seen going in and out at the same spot on the roof

Not sure which you've got? Our guide on telling rats from mice covers the droppings, and our rat control page explains how rats behave in a home.

How does squirrel trapping work?

We find where the squirrels are getting in, then set cage traps in the loft at the spots they use. Traps are checked regularly until the squirrels are caught. Once the loft is clear, we show you the gaps that need sealing so the next squirrel can't move in. Trapping is £280.

Why we can't just let them go

Grey squirrels are a non-native species in the UK, and releasing one into the wild is an offence under section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. A trapped grey squirrel has to be dealt with humanely by a trained technician. We'll explain exactly what happens before we start, so there are no surprises.

Sealing the way in

Trapping clears the loft. Sealing the entry points keeps it clear. Once we've found the gaps, you can get them fixed by a roofer, or ask us about proofing. Small entry holes are £180 for up to an hour of work, and bigger jobs on the roofline are usually one for a roofer.