If you have heard scratching, chewing or movement coming from your attic or loft space, you may be wondering how to get squirrels out of your attic. The first step is to establish whether a squirrel is actually living in the roof space and identify the access point it is using.
Look for signs of squirrel activity such as squirrel droppings, damaged insulation, gnaw marks and nesting materials. You may also notice that squirrels are entering and leaving through gaps around soffit boards, fascia boards, roof tiles or other areas of the roof.
It can be tempting to simply seal entry points as soon as you find them. However, this can cause problems if a squirrel is still inside, particularly if there is a squirrel nest containing baby squirrels. A professional pest controller can inspect the attic area, establish whether squirrels are present and advise on the most appropriate way to deal with the problem.
How to Deter Squirrels From Your Attic
Once squirrels have been removed, proofing work can help stop squirrels from returning. This involves identifying vulnerable access points around the house and making them more difficult for squirrels to use.
Preventing squirrels from entering your loft is essential to avoid the damage and disturbances they cause. Here are some effective strategies to keep these furry intruders at bay:
1. Seal Entry Points
The first step in squirrel-proofing your loft is to identify and seal any potential entry points. Inspect your roof, soffits, and fascia for gaps, cracks, or damage. Pay particular attention to areas where cables or pipes enter the home, as these can provide easy access for squirrels. Other measures may include using suitable wire mesh or metal flashing around vulnerable areas and making sure gaps around the roof are properly sealed.
- Roof Repairs: Ensure that any damaged roof tiles or shingles are replaced promptly. Squirrels can easily exploit broken tiles to gain entry to your loft.
- Gutter Guards and Vents: Install gutter guards and cover vents with metal mesh to prevent squirrels from entering through these openings. Make sure the mesh is made of sturdy material that squirrels can’t chew through.
- Seal Gaps: Use caulk, steel wool, or expanding foam to seal small gaps and cracks. For larger holes, consider using metal sheeting or heavy-duty wire mesh.
2. Trim Overhanging Trees
Squirrels are excellent climbers and can use nearby trees and tree branches to reach roof spaces. To reduce this risk, trim back any branches that overhang or are close to your roof. Ideally, there should be a gap of at least 6 to 8 feet between the nearest tree branches and your roofline.
3. Remove Food Sources
Squirrels are attracted to areas where food is readily available. To make your home less appealing, remove or secure potential food sources around your property.
- Bird Feeders: Place bird feeders away from your home or use squirrel-proof feeders that are designed to prevent squirrels from accessing the food.
- Pet Food: If you feed your pets outside, make sure to remove any leftover food promptly. Squirrels are opportunistic feeders and will happily scavenge pet food.
- Rubbish Bins/Food Bins: Ensure that your bins have tight-fitting lids to prevent squirrels from foraging in your rubbish.
4. Use Squirrel Deterrents
Several deterrents can help keep squirrels away from your property:
- Motion-Activated Sprinklers: These devices spray water when they detect movement, startling squirrels and deterring them from entering your garden.
- Squirrel Repellents: You can use natural or chemical squirrel repellents around entry points or areas where squirrels are active. These repellents often contain ingredients like peppermint oil or predator urine, which squirrels find unpleasant.
- Bright lights or loud noises are sometimes suggested as ways of deterring squirrels, although these approaches may not provide a long-term solution if there is still an easy access point into the loft.
What Attracts Squirrels to Your Property?
Squirrels may be attracted to gardens where food and shelter are readily available. Bird food, bird feeders, nuts and other easily accessible food sources can encourage squirrel activity around your property.
Trees can also provide squirrels with convenient routes onto your roof. In addition to trimming overhanging branches, keeping food sources secure can help make your surrounding area less attractive.
Squirrels may also enter buildings because they provide a warm, sheltered place to nest. Loft insulation can make an attic space particularly appealing when a squirrel is looking for somewhere protected to raise young.
What Should You Do If You Find a Squirrel Nest?
Finding a squirrel nest, sometimes called a drey, in your loft requires particular care. If you suspect that baby squirrels are present, do not simply block the access point or attempt to remove the nest yourself.
A professional pest controller can establish whether the nest is occupied and determine the appropriate next step. This is particularly important because separating a mother squirrel from her young can create additional problems and may result in animals becoming trapped inside the attic.
Professional squirrel control should take account of other wildlife and non-target species that could be affected by any control or proofing work.
Can Squirrels Damage Your House?
Squirrel damage can be more serious than the noise they make. Squirrels naturally need to gnaw, and they can nibble electrical wires, wooden structures and other materials within a loft or attic.
Damaged insulation is another common concern. Squirrels may pull apart loft insulation when creating a nest, leaving sections of the loft space exposed and potentially reducing the effectiveness of the insulation.
Checking for damage should therefore form part of dealing with a squirrel infestation. If you have noticed gnawed electrical wires, damaged insulation or other signs of squirrel activity, professional help can identify what needs to be addressed.
The Damage Squirrels Can Cause in Your Loft/Attic
Squirrels can cause significant damage to your home if they gain access to your loft. Here’s what to look out for:
1. Structural Damage
- Chewing: Squirrels have strong teeth that can chew through wood, plastic, and even metal. This can lead to weakened structural elements in your loft, compromising the integrity of your roof and walls.
- Insulation Damage: Squirrels often tear up insulation to create nests, reducing its effectiveness and increasing your energy bills. Damaged insulation also means your home becomes less energy-efficient, leading to higher heating costs.
2. Electrical Hazards
- Gnawing on Wires: Squirrels frequently chew on electrical wires, which can strip the insulation and expose live wires. This not only increases the risk of short circuits but also creates a significant fire hazard. In fact, squirrel-related electrical damage is a common cause of loft fires in the UK.
3. Contamination
- Droppings and Urine: Squirrels leave behind droppings and urine, which can lead to unpleasant odours and potential health risks. Their waste can contaminate your loft, leading to the growth of mould and bacteria, which may pose respiratory issues for those living in the home.
4. Noise Disturbance
- Scratching and Scurrying: Squirrels are active during the day, and you may hear them scratching, scurrying, or even fighting in your loft. This noise can be disruptive and unsettling, particularly if they’ve established a large nest.
What If There Is Only One Squirrel?
Even if you have only seen a single squirrel, it does not necessarily mean there is only one animal using your property. A squirrel may have established a nest in an attic or roof space, or there may be other squirrels using the same access point.
For this reason, it is worth investigating signs such as droppings, nesting materials and damage rather than assuming that a single squirrel will simply leave.
Once squirrels are no longer using the property, proofing access points can help prevent the same problem from happening again.
Why Do Squirrels Invade Lofts?
Squirrels enter lofts for several reasons, primarily seeking warmth, safety, and a place to build their nests. During the colder months, your loft offers a cosy environment that protects them from the elements. Additionally, lofts are usually quiet and undisturbed, making them an ideal spot for squirrels to raise their young.
Squirrels are agile climbers, capable of scaling walls, leaping from trees, and squeezing through tiny gaps. They can enter your loft through damaged roofing, gaps in soffits, or even through unscreened vents. Once inside, they’ll begin nesting, gnawing on materials to keep their ever-growing teeth in check, and foraging for food.
How to Stop Squirrels Coming Back
Getting rid of squirrels is only part of the solution. If the access point remains open, other squirrels may eventually find the same route into your loft.
Keeping squirrels out long term means checking the roof, soffit and fascia boards for potential access points and carrying out appropriate proofing work. Wire mesh, metal flashing and other suitable materials can be used where appropriate to make vulnerable areas more secure.
It is also worth checking the surrounding trees and keeping branches trimmed where they provide an easy route onto the roof.
Taking these steps can help stop squirrels returning and reduce the likelihood of another squirrel infestation developing in your attic or loft space.
When to Call a Professional
About Professional Grey Squirrel Control
Grey squirrels are an invasive species in the UK and are subject to specific legal controls. Anyone dealing with grey squirrels should make sure they understand the relevant requirements rather than attempting to trap, relocate or otherwise deal with wild animals themselves.
There are important considerations around squirrel traps, live traps, captured grey squirrels and the release of grey squirrels. The Wildlife and Countryside Act and other relevant legislation can apply to the control of grey squirrels, so professional grey squirrel control should be carried out by someone with the appropriate knowledge and experience.
Professional pest controllers can advise on the available options and ensure that control measures are carried out responsibly, while taking account of other wildlife and non-target species.
Book a consultation with Shield Pest Control
While preventive measures are essential, sometimes a squirrel infestation requires professional intervention. If you suspect that squirrels have already entered your loft, it’s important to contact a pest control expert who can safely and humanely remove them. Shield Pest Control offers expert services to help you deal with squirrel infestations and prevent them from returning.
