A nest, known as a drey, is usually a sign that squirrels aren't just passing through your roof space — they're settled and, quite possibly, breeding. Finding one in a Windsor loft changes the situation from a straightforward removal job to something that needs a bit more care, both in how it's approached and in the timing of the work.
What a squirrel nest looks like
A typical loft drey is built from shredded loft insulation, torn cardboard, leaves, twigs and any other soft material a squirrel could gather nearby, usually packed into a corner, against a joist, or tucked into the eaves where it's sheltered and hard to see from the loft hatch. It's often larger and messier than people expect — squirrels aren't tidy nest builders, and the surrounding insulation is usually disturbed or compacted over a wider area than the nest itself.
Why timing and young squirrels complicate things
Grey squirrels can breed twice a year, with peak breeding seasons in late winter/early spring and again in summer, so a nest found in a Windsor loft may contain young that aren't yet mobile. Removing an adult squirrel without checking for dependent young can leave them trapped in the roof space, which is both a welfare issue and likely to create a worse problem — a dead animal in an inaccessible part of the loft. This is one of the main reasons nest removal isn't a job to approach casually.
The legal side of squirrel removal
- Grey squirrels are not a protected species in the UK and are treated as an invasive non-native species
- There are still welfare obligations — any trapping or removal must be carried out humanely
- Grey squirrels that are trapped cannot lawfully be released back into the wild and must be dealt with appropriately
- Because of these rules, DIY trapping can create legal and welfare complications that a professional service is set up to handle correctly
Why this is best left to a professional
Beyond the legal considerations, a nest in the loft usually means an active family group rather than a single animal, which takes more than one visit to resolve properly — locating and removing young, confirming no squirrels remain, then clearing the old nesting material before proofing work begins.
If you've found a squirrel nest in your Windsor loft, the right first step is a proper inspection rather than attempting to clear it yourself. Pest Services Berkshire handles nest removal lawfully and humanely, with follow-up visits included to confirm the loft is fully clear — contact us to arrange an inspection.
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