How To Get Rid of Squirrels in Your Attic

Finding that a squirrel has made its home in your attic or loft can be distressing. At first, their noises may alarm you, but it’s really the damage they can do that should be a cause for concern; chewing wiring and tearing through insulation being the key hazards.

Red squirrels are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, while grey squirrels are not native to the UK and are therefore not protected. With this in mind, if you need help with squirrels in your attic, where better to turn than the pest control experts?

This month at Pest Defence, we’re exploring how to get rid of squirrels from your loft.

How To Get Rid Of Squirrels In The Attic - Pest Defence

Signs of squirrels in your attic

Signs Of Squirrels In Your Attic - Pest Defence

Let’s begin by taking a look at the common signs to look out for that indicate you’ve got squirrels in your attic space:

Gnaw marks on wood or items stored in the loft
Scratching and scampering noises from above
Nests of shredded insulation, leaves and paper
Visible damage to your roof edge, soffits or fascia boards
Urine-like smell or general odour inside your loft

Of course, some of these signs can easily be confused with other pests (something you can check in our previous piece), but the surest sign will be an increase in squirrel activity on your property — especially in your garden and along neighbouring buildings.

How to get rid of squirrels from your attic or loft space

The best way to get rid of squirrels safely from your loft space is to call out the professionals. Our team has decades of experience and can make recommendations on some of the following, depending on the type of squirrel:

Traps

Humane traps can be used for grey squirrels, and it is a legal offence to release them. At Pest Defence, we can use spring-activated and live traps. Any traps should be checked regularly.

Repellents

Different repellents can be used to deter squirrels from your attic space, such as scents or an ultrasonic unit. However, squirrels have been known to adapt to this and it may only be a temporary solution if you don’t address the entry points they are using to access your property.

Attractants

One way to try and remove the need for squirrels to enter your property is to try leaving attractants further away from your building. While we don’t recommend setting food out for them, if they’re already on your property and you leave nuts/seeds out for birds, try to establish this in an area set away from your building.

How to prevent squirrels from getting into your attic

Getting squirrels out of your attic usually requires professional pest control services, so let’s look at ways you can prevent them from getting inside in the first place:

Seal any holes around your roof space
Install mesh on your vents and chimney
Add motion-sensor lights to your garden
Don’t leave food items exposed or bin lids open

It’s important to check your roofline regularly for any vulnerabilities if you know you have squirrels active in your area.

Professional squirrel pest control across Essex and London

While prevention is easier than the cure, if you’ve got squirrels causing a nuisance in your loft or attic and you’d like our help, don’t hesitate to contact us. As one of Essex and London’s leading squirrel experts, you’ll receive a quick response for rapid results, with peace of mind knowing that you’re working with a fully accredited and insured squirrel pest control company.