Most squirrel problems are a nuisance rather than an emergency, but a few are not. If a squirrel is loose in your home, or you suspect it has damaged wiring, you need a plan. This guide sets out what to do first, whether you are dealing with squirrel control in Slough or just trying to stay safe until help arrives.
What Counts as Urgent
- A squirrel loose inside the living space of your home.
- A squirrel stuck in a chimney, wall cavity or room you cannot get into.
- A burning smell, buzzing, flickering lights or tripped fuses after noises in the loft, which could mean chewed wiring.
- Young squirrels heard in the loft in numbers, or an animal that appears to be injured.
- Activity at a business where it affects customers or food areas.
If a Squirrel Is Loose in the House
- Stay calm and keep children and pets out of the room.
- Close internal doors so it cannot spread through the house.
- Open an outside window or door as wide as you can, and move away so it has a clear route out.
- Do not corner it or try to pick it up. A frightened squirrel can bite and scratch.
- If it does not leave, shut it in one room with the door closed, and call for help.
If anyone is bitten or scratched, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and ask a pharmacist or your GP for advice.
If You Suspect Wiring Damage
Electrical safety comes before the squirrels. If there is a burning smell or sparking, or lights and sockets are behaving oddly after noises in the loft, switch off at the consumer unit if you can do so safely and call a qualified electrician. Do not go into the loft to look. See whether squirrels damage roof timbers and how quickly squirrels can damage a loft for the damage squirrels can do.
What Not to Do
- Do not block holes while a squirrel may still be inside.
- Do not use poison, smoke or anything that could harm the animal or start a fire in the roof space.
- Do not poke around in the loft without protection and safe footing.
- Do not try to trap and release the squirrel elsewhere. It is an offence to release a grey squirrel into the wild.
Who to Call and What to Tell Them
Our line is open 24 hours on 0118 336 1366. It helps to tell us where the squirrel is, how long it has been there, whether there could be young, and whether you have noticed any signs of electrical trouble. We will explain the options and what the visit is likely to involve. We do not promise a particular arrival time over the phone, because it depends on the day and where our technician is, but we will give you honest advice on what to do until then.
Getting Ready Before Help Arrives
- Keep a record of what you have seen, with the time, and take photos where it is safe to do so.
- Shut the door of any room a squirrel is in, and put a towel along the bottom to stop it getting out into the rest of the house.
- Clear a way to the room or the loft hatch so access is straightforward.
- Keep pets in another part of the house.
A Squirrel in the Chimney
If you hear a squirrel in a chimney, do not light a fire. Smoke can harm the animal and a blocked flue is a danger to you. Tell us what you can hear, and whether there is a cap on the chimney pot.
Shared Buildings and Rented Homes
If you rent, or live in a flat or a house divided into several homes, tell your landlord or managing agent as soon as you can, because the roof is usually their responsibility. Our guide to squirrel control for landlords and rental properties covers who deals with what.
After the Emergency
Once the immediate problem is over, the underlying issue is still there. The squirrel got in somewhere, and unless that is found and closed, another may follow. See how grey squirrels get into Slough homes and squirrel proofing after an infestation. For the cost, see what squirrel removal costs in Slough.
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