Grey squirrels are capable climbers and surprisingly strong for their size, and a roofline that looks solid from the ground can have several weak points a squirrel is willing to exploit. Understanding exactly how they get into Newbury roof spaces makes it much easier to spot the warning signs early, before a small gap becomes an established entry route.
The most common entry points
- Gaps at soffit and fascia joints, where boards have warped, shrunk, or come slightly loose over time
- Damaged or rotten timber around the roofline, which squirrels will gnaw and widen to force an opening
- Gaps where roof tiles have slipped or ridge tiles have come loose, particularly on older Newbury properties
- Vents and airbricks that aren't fitted with squirrel-proof mesh
- Gaps around where pipework, cabling, or aerials pass through the roof structure
- Any point where an overhanging branch brings a squirrel within jumping distance of the roof edge
Why gnawing makes the problem worse over time
A squirrel's front teeth grow continuously, and gnawing is a natural way to keep them worn down as well as a means of enlarging an opening. A gap that starts as a few centimetres — barely noticeable from the ground — can be widened within days into something large enough for the squirrel to pass through comfortably. This is why entry points often look far worse once you actually get eyes on the roofline than they did from below.
Why these entry points are easy to miss
Most entry points are high up, at soffit or fascia level, or tucked under ridge tiles — not somewhere the average homeowner inspects regularly. Many Newbury properties, particularly older housing stock with timber soffits and fascias, have areas of the roofline that have quietly deteriorated over years without anyone noticing, simply because nobody had reason to look closely. The first sign is often the sound of movement in the loft, by which point the squirrel has already found and used the gap.
What we look for during an inspection
A proper roof space survey involves checking the entire roofline from ground level with binoculars or from access equipment where needed, looking specifically for gnaw marks, displaced tiles, and worn timber, then correlating that with where activity is heard or seen inside the loft. Finding every entry point matters just as much as removing the squirrels — missing even one gap means the problem is likely to return.
If you're not sure how squirrels are getting into your Newbury property, a professional inspection is the quickest way to find out. Pest Services Berkshire surveys roof spaces and rooflines across Newbury and the surrounding villages — call 0118 336 1366 for a free quotation.
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