Grey squirrels are far more capable climbers and problem-solvers than most homeowners give them credit for. In Sandhurst, where mature trees back onto gardens and many properties have timber soffits and fascias that age over the years, roofs offer exactly the combination of access routes and weak points that squirrels are naturally good at exploiting.
How squirrels physically get onto the roof
A squirrel doesn't need to start at ground level. They're confident climbers and jumpers, capable of leaping several metres from an overhanging branch onto a roof, or scaling a drainpipe, wall-mounted trellis, or even rough brickwork to reach the eaves. Any tree with branches extending close to the roofline effectively hands a squirrel a bridge straight onto your property.
The typical weak points squirrels exploit
- Gaps where soffits and fascias have warped, rotted, or pulled away slightly from the roof timber
- Damaged or missing roof tiles that expose the underlying felt and timber
- Gaps around where pipes, cables or vents pass through the roofline
- Poorly fitted or aging gable end vents and ridge tiles
- Old entry points left behind by previous squirrel activity that were never properly sealed
Why it doesn't take much of a gap
Grey squirrels can compress their bodies to fit through remarkably small openings — often a gap not much bigger than a couple of centimetres is enough once they start gnawing at the edges to widen it. Once inside, they'll often use and enlarge the same entry point repeatedly, which is why a small gap that seems insignificant in spring can become a well-worn access route by autumn.
Why it matters to find every entry point, not just one
It's common for a property to have more than one weak spot, particularly older roofs with soffits and fascias that have been exposed to the weather for years. Sealing one obvious gap while missing a second, smaller one means the squirrels — or new ones — simply find the other way in. This is why a thorough external inspection of the whole roofline matters as much as clearing whatever is already inside.
If you've spotted gnawed timber, a gap at the roofline, or overhanging branches close to your roof, it's worth having the property checked before squirrels find their own way in. Pest Services Berkshire inspects roof spaces across Sandhurst to identify every entry point — get in touch on 0118 336 1366 for a free quotation.
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