One of the clearest signals in loft pest identification is timing. If you're hearing scratching, scampering or thumping noises coming from the roof space during daylight hours in your Slough home, the most likely culprit is a grey squirrel — not a rat or mouse. Getting this diagnosis right from the outset matters, because the entry points, behaviour and treatment approach differ significantly between species.
Why timing is the biggest clue
Rats and mice are nocturnal, or close to it — they're typically active from dusk through the night and tend to go quiet once daylight breaks. Grey squirrels are the opposite: they're diurnal, meaning they're active during the day and rest at night. If the noise wakes you at 2am, it's more likely rodents. If it's most noticeable mid-morning or in the early evening while it's still light, squirrels are the stronger bet.
Other ways to tell them apart
- Weight and sound of movement — squirrels are considerably heavier than rats or mice, so their movement across joists tends to be louder and more like a thump or scamper than a light scuttle
- Gnawing pattern — squirrels gnaw on thicker timber and cable in bursts, while rodent gnawing is often finer and more continuous
- Droppings — squirrel droppings are larger and more oval than rat droppings, which are smaller and more pointed, and mouse droppings smaller again
- Nest material — squirrels build a bulky drey from insulation, leaves and twigs, whereas rodent nests tend to be more compact, shredded material tucked into a corner
- Entry point size — squirrels need a larger gap, roughly an inch and a half or more, while mice can fit through a hole the size of a pencil and rats through one around the size of a 50p coin
Why the diagnosis affects the treatment
Squirrel control in a roof space differs from rat or mouse control in several ways: the entry points that need sealing are larger and often located higher up around soffits and roofline features rather than at ground level; the proofing materials used need to withstand a squirrel's gnawing strength; and the legal considerations around handling grey squirrels are different from those for rodents. Treating a squirrel problem with a rodent-focused approach — or vice versa — often means the job doesn't fully resolve.
When it's genuinely hard to tell
Some properties in Slough have more than one pest issue at once, particularly older buildings with several potential entry points around the roofline. Mixed activity, or noises at both ends of the day, can make a confident diagnosis from sound alone difficult. In these cases, a physical inspection of the loft — checking droppings, gnaw marks and entry points directly — is the only reliable way to be certain.
If you're unsure what's making the noise in your loft, don't guess and don't wait. Pest Services Berkshire carries out proper loft inspections across Slough to correctly identify the species involved before recommending treatment. Call 0118 336 1366 to book an inspection.
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