Squirrels in the loft almost never leave on their own, and the safe, legal answer is professional trapping followed by full proofing of the roofline. A loft gives a grey squirrel everything its natural tree-hollow drey would: warmth, dryness and no disturbance. Because grey squirrels are an invasive non-native species, UK law is strict about how they can be removed.
This guide explains how to tell squirrels from rats by sound and timing, the damage they do to wiring and insulation, what the law actually says, and how professional squirrel removal works from survey to sealed roof.
Key takeaways
- Noise at dawn and dusk points to squirrels in the loft, because rats move mostly at night.
- Grey squirrel damage runs to an estimated 37 million pounds a year in England and Wales, according to GOV.UK.
- It is illegal to release a trapped grey squirrel back into the wild; it must be humanely dispatched.
- Chewed cables and shredded insulation make a loft infestation a genuine safety risk, not just a noise problem.
- Lasting results need humane removal plus proofing of every entry point, not one or the other.
How do I know it’s squirrels in the loft and not rats?
Timing is the giveaway. Squirrels are active in daylight, so loud scratching, scurrying and thumping at dawn and dusk points strongly to squirrels in the loft, while rats do most of their moving at night. Many homeowners also describe a strange rolling sound, which is usually cached nuts being shifted across the loft floor.
If you can get into the loft safely, look for these signs as well:
- Droppings clustered near a large, untidy nest of shredded material.
- Insulation flattened into obvious runs, or torn up and dragged into one corner.
- Shredded roofing felt, cardboard or stored belongings used as nest lining.
- Squirrels seen running along the roofline, gutters or nearby branches.
Not sure what you are hearing? Our guide to the scratching sound in your roof compares squirrels, rats, mice and birds in more detail.
How do squirrels get into the loft?
Squirrels usually enter through broken or slipped roof tiles, gaps where fascia and soffit boards meet, damaged vents and openings around the eaves. They are agile climbers and powerful gnawers, so a small weakness quickly becomes a usable hole. Watch the roofline at first light and you will often see the exact entry point.
Once inside, a loft replicates the tree hollow a grey squirrel would naturally nest in: warm, dry and undisturbed. According to the British Pest Control Association, grey squirrels typically produce two litters a year, around February to March and June to July, with three to seven kittens in each.
That breeding cycle matters. A female with a litter will defend the loft, shred more insulation for bedding, and keep the noise going for months. It also changes what can legally and humanely be done, which we cover below.
What damage can squirrels in the loft cause?
Serious damage, and quickly. A squirrel’s incisor teeth grow continuously at roughly six inches a year, the BPCA notes, so the animal must gnaw constantly to keep them worn down. In a loft, that means chewed electrical cables, timbers and pipes, plus shredded insulation, felt and stored belongings.
The financial picture backs this up. Insurer LV= reported squirrel-related home insurance claims rising by 51 percent, with damage to pipes, cables, decking and fascia boards, according to Insurance Times. One claim reached 30,000 pounds, with the family moved into temporary accommodation after damage to roof timbers and underfelt.
Chewed cables deserve particular respect. A stripped cable exposes live conductors that can arc and ignite loft materials. For context, Electrical Safety First reports that 53.4 percent of accidental dwelling fires in England are of electrical origin, around 14,200 fires a year. Anything gnawing hidden wiring adds risk you cannot see.
There are quieter problems too. A drey can host fleas, ticks and mites that migrate down into living space, squirrels can drown in uncovered cold-water tanks, and a cornered squirrel will scratch and bite hard if approached.
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What does the law say about grey squirrels in the UK?
The rules are strict. Grey squirrels are an invasive non-native species listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and under section 14 it is an offence to release one into the wild. The maximum penalty is up to two years’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine.
Since 2019, GOV.UK confirms that licences to release trapped grey squirrels are no longer issued. In plain terms: once a grey squirrel has been deliberately trapped, the law does not allow it to be released back into the wild; it must be humanely dispatched, which is one reason this is a professional’s job.
The RSPCA says the same thing, advising householders to use a reputable pest control contractor trained to carry out these measures legally and humanely. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 also applies: causing unnecessary suffering to an animal in a trap is an offence, kill traps must be approved types, and traps must be checked regularly.
Why so firm? The GOV.UK Grey Squirrel Policy Statement estimates 2.7 million grey squirrels across Great Britain against just 38,900 red squirrels in England, with grey squirrel damage running to an estimated 37 million pounds a year in England and Wales.
Why is DIY squirrel removal a bad idea?
Because the law, the biology and the building work are all stacked against you. Trapped grey squirrels cannot legally be released, kill traps must be approved types, poisoning grey squirrels is heavily restricted and not a DIY option, and sealing holes at the wrong time can trap kittens inside. Some mistakes are offences.
Timing is the trap most householders fall into. The RSPCA’s guidance is clear: if young are present, blocking entry points must wait until the kittens are independent, at roughly 10 to 12 weeks. Seal a nest with young inside and you cause real suffering, plus a dead-animal odour problem you will not forget.
It cuts the other way too. Seal an adult out, or in, and it will gnaw its way through fascia, felt or even tiles to reach its nest. We’ve seen determined squirrels undo a weekend of DIY proofing in a single morning.
Then there is the proofing itself. Every entry point has to be found and properly sealed, not just the obvious one. Miss a single gap behind a gutter and the loft is recolonised within weeks.
How do professionals get rid of squirrels in the loft?
Professional squirrel control combines a survey, legal humane trapping and full proofing. Our RSPH (BPCA) Level 2 certified and trainee technicians locate the nest and every entry point, remove the squirrels within the law, then seal the roofline so the loft cannot be reoccupied. Removal without proofing is a short-term fix.
A typical visit for squirrel pest control looks like this:
- Survey: inspect the loft, roofline and garden to confirm squirrels, find the drey and map entry points.
- Removal: place approved traps in the right locations, checked regularly as the law requires, with humane dispatch of trapped greys.
- Proofing: seal tiles, fascia and soffit gaps, vents and eaves with gnaw-resistant materials.
- Aftercare: advice on trimming overhanging branches and other access routes, plus checks that the loft stays quiet.
JG Pest Control is a family-run company with 15+ years of experience, rated 4.8 out of 5 from more than 23,000 Trustpilot reviews, the highest rated pest control company on Trustpilot. We cover England and Wales nationwide, plus major Scottish and Northern Irish cities, with same-day callouts available.
Get squirrels out of your loft legally and humanely, with proofing that keeps them out.
We are open every day except Christmas Day, early until late. Send us a message for a fast callback, or call the number at the top of this page.
Frequently asked questions
Rarely. A loft replicates the warm, dry, undisturbed tree hollow a grey squirrel would naturally nest in, so once settled it has little reason to leave. Females raise litters there in spring and summer, which keeps activity going for months. Professional removal and proofing is the reliable way to end it.
Listen for loud scratching, scurrying and thumping, mainly around dawn and dusk. Squirrels are active in daylight, unlike rats, which move at night. Many people also report a rolling sound, which is usually nuts being cached across the loft floor. Daytime noise is the clearest clue that it is squirrels.
Common entry points include broken or slipped roof tiles, gaps where fascia and soffit boards meet, damaged vents and openings around the eaves. A squirrel only needs a small gap and can enlarge it quickly by gnawing. If you see squirrels on your roofline, check those areas first.
Yes. Grey squirrels are an invasive non-native species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and releasing one into the wild is an offence. Once trapped, a grey squirrel must be humanely dispatched, which is why the RSPCA advises using a trained, reputable pest control professional rather than DIY trapping.
Grey squirrels usually produce two litters a year, born around February to March and June to July, with three to seven kittens in each. The young become independent at roughly ten weeks. Removal and proofing work is timed around this, because sealing a loft with kittens inside causes suffering.
It varies, so check your policy carefully, as some insurers exclude damage caused by vermin or infestation. Insurer LV= reported squirrel-related home claims rising by 51 percent, with one claim reaching 30,000 pounds, so it pays to act quickly rather than rely on cover after the damage is done.