It's a question we get asked a lot by Cookham homeowners once they realise squirrels are in the loft: is this actually going to cause damage, or is it just noise? The honest answer is that squirrels can cause real, sometimes serious damage — and wiring and insulation are two of the areas most commonly affected.
Understanding why helps explain why squirrel activity in a roof space shouldn't be left to sort itself out.
Why squirrels chew wiring
A grey squirrel's incisors grow continuously throughout its life, and gnawing is how they keep them worn down to a manageable length. Loft wiring — telephone cables, electrical wiring, aerial and satellite cabling — is exactly the kind of material squirrels will chew on, regardless of whether it's carrying a current. Unlike a soft timber joist, wiring damage isn't always visible unless you know where to look.
The risks this creates
- Exposed or damaged wiring insulation increasing the risk of electrical faults
- A recognised fire risk where chewed wiring is left unaddressed
- Loss of telephone, internet, or satellite signal from damaged cabling
- Intermittent electrical faults that are difficult to trace without checking the loft
What happens to loft insulation
Insulation is one of the first things affected once squirrels settle into a loft. It gets pulled apart, flattened, and used as nesting material for a drey, which reduces its effectiveness at keeping heat in. Beyond the practical loss of insulating value, insulation contaminated with droppings and urine over time also needs to be removed and replaced as part of a proper clean-up, rather than left in place.
Why this matters for Cookham homes specifically
Many properties in and around Cookham, particularly older cottages and houses with original timber roof structures, have loft spaces that are easy for squirrels to move through freely once inside, giving them access to a wide area of wiring and insulation rather than a single contained section. The longer squirrels are left undisturbed, the more of the loft they tend to affect. If you suspect squirrels have been in your Cookham loft for any length of time, it's worth having both the removal and the condition of wiring and insulation properly assessed. Contact Pest Services Berkshire on 0118 336 1366 for a free quotation and an honest look at what's happening in your roof space.
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