When squirrels are running about above your ceiling, the urge to do something today is strong. Some quick fixes make the problem bigger. This guide covers the mistakes we would ask you to avoid, and what you can safely do while you arrange help with squirrel control in Slough.
Mistake 1: Blocking the Hole You Can See
If a squirrel is inside and you seal the hole, it is trapped in your roof space. It will often chew a new way out, usually through something that is now damaged, and if there are young inside they are left without their mother. Blocking an entry point is the last step of a job, not the first. See squirrel proofing after an infestation for when it is right to do it.
Mistake 2: Using Poison
Poison is not a sensible way to remove squirrels from a loft. An animal that eats it can die in a place you cannot reach, such as inside a wall, a ceiling void or under floorboards, and the smell can last. It also puts pets and other wildlife at risk. Leave it to a professional to decide what is suitable and lawful.
Mistake 3: Relying on Deterrents
Radios, mothballs, ultrasonic devices and similar products are widely sold for loft problems. We would not rely on them to clear squirrels that are already settled in. If one makes the animals move on for a few days, they often return once they have got used to it.
Mistake 4: Setting a Trap and Walking Away
A live-capture trap has to be checked regularly, normally at least once a day, and a trapped grey squirrel cannot lawfully be released into the wild. Householders often find they cannot meet the first, and are not sure what to do about the second. Our guide to how professional trapping works explains both.
Mistake 5: Going Into the Loft Unprepared
- Stepping off the joists onto the ceiling below, which will not take your weight.
- Disturbing droppings and nesting material without gloves and a mask.
- Touching cables that have been chewed. If you suspect damage to wiring, do not touch it and ask an electrician to check it.
- Cornering an animal in a confined space. A frightened squirrel can bite and scratch.
What Is Safe to Do Yourself
- Write down when you hear noise, where it seems to come from and how long it lasts.
- Look at the roof from the ground, using binoculars if you have them, for gaps at the eaves, soffits and roof edges. See squirrels entering through soffits.
- Keep pets and children out of the loft.
- Take photos of any damage you can see safely from the hatch.
- Tidy stored items away from the hatch so access is clear.
Why It Feels Like It Should Be Easy
A squirrel is a small animal and a loft is a closed space, so it is natural to assume a few simple steps will sort it out. In practice, squirrels are agile, determined and good at finding a way back in. They will also chew through softer materials to make a new exit. That is why the quick fixes so often cause more trouble than they cure.
A Quick Guide to What to Do
- Noise only: keep a note of when it happens and ring for advice. See daytime scratching in a Slough loft if you are not sure what it is.
- Droppings or damage in the loft: do not disturb it, and ring.
- You can see the hole: leave it open until the loft is clear. Closing it is the last step.
- You smell burning or lights flicker: switch off at the consumer unit if it is safe, and call an electrician first.
- You hear squeaking: there may be young. See squirrel nests and young in a loft.
What Happens If You Wait
Squirrels in a loft rarely go away on their own, and the longer they are there the more insulation, timber and cabling they can damage. how quickly squirrels can damage a loft explains the timescale. Waiting to see if it stops usually costs more than acting early.
When to Call a Professional
If you hear regular movement, find droppings or damage, or suspect there are young in the loft, it is time to call. The sooner it is dealt with, the less damage is done, as how quickly squirrels can damage a loft explains. If you are not sure whether it is squirrels at all, read daytime scratching in a Slough loft.
Call 0118 336 1366 or request a quote and we will tell you what to expect before anything is arranged.
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