Grey squirrels are among the most capable urban wildlife at exploiting a building's weak points. They can jump several feet horizontally, climb sheer brick and render, and squeeze through gaps that look far too small to fit an animal their size — a squirrel only needs a gap of around an inch and a half to force its way through. In a town like Slough, with plenty of mature trees close to rooflines in areas such as Upton, Cippenham and the streets around Slough Park, that combination of agility and opportunity means roofs are constantly under test.
The most common entry points
- Gaps at soffits and fascias — where boards have warped, come loose, or were never fully sealed at the joints
- Damaged or missing roof tiles, particularly at the ridge or where flashing has lifted
- Gaps around gable ends, especially on older Slough properties with timber cladding
- Vents and airbricks with damaged or missing mesh covers
- Overhanging tree branches that give squirrels a direct route from garden trees onto the roofline
- Old, unused chimney pots without a cap or guard fitted
Why the same spots get reused
Once a squirrel finds a workable gap, it tends to keep using it, and the repeated traffic often widens the hole further over time — gnawing at the edges of timber to enlarge an opening is common behaviour. This is why you'll often see a dark, greasy stain around an entry point: it's the accumulated dirt and oil from the animal's fur rubbing against the same edges on every trip in and out.
Trees, fences and nearby structures
Proximity matters more than most homeowners expect. A mature tree with branches within a few feet of the roofline effectively hands squirrels a direct bridge onto the property, bypassing the need to climb the walls at all. Garden fencing, garages, and even satellite dishes can also serve as stepping stones toward a vulnerable roof edge.
Why identifying the entry point matters as much as removing the animal
Removing a squirrel without finding and properly closing off how it got in is only half the job — another squirrel, or the same one, will often find the same route back in within days or weeks. A thorough survey needs to trace every possible entry point around the whole roofline, not just the obvious one, since it's common for more than one gap to be in use at the same property.
If you suspect squirrels are getting into your loft but can't work out where, Pest Services Berkshire can carry out a full roofline survey of your Slough property, identify every active and potential entry point, and put together a plan to close them off properly. Contact us on 0118 336 1366 for a free quotation.
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