Grey squirrels are brilliant climbers, and a warm, dry loft makes a perfect nest – especially in autumn and late winter. Here’s how to spot them and what to do.
Signs of squirrels in the loft
- Scampering, scratching or thumping, mostly in the early morning and late afternoon
- Chewed timbers, cables, pipe lagging or stored belongings
- Shredded insulation pulled into a nest
- Chewed holes around eaves, fascias and roof tiles
- Squirrels running along your roof or jumping from nearby trees
Why you shouldn’t ignore them
Squirrels gnaw constantly. In lofts they chew through electrical cables, which can create a fire risk, and damage timbers, insulation and water pipes. Once they’ve nested, they’ll keep coming back and may have young.
What not to do
Don’t block the hole while squirrels are inside – they’ll chew their way out somewhere else, sometimes into the house. And remember that it’s illegal to release a trapped grey squirrel back into the wild.
Your options
- Remote monitoring cameras – confirm it’s grey squirrels, how many and where they’re getting in
- One-way squirrel flaps – let them out but not back in, then seal the gap (only when no young are inside)
- Humane lethal control – where exclusion isn’t practical
- Proofing – seal every entry point and cut back branches near the roof
Need help?
See our squirrel control service, covering Edinburgh and Fife.