One of the most common calls we get from homeowners in Thatcham starts the same way: something is making noise up in the loft, and nobody's sure what it is. Before you assume the worst, or the least likely, it's worth knowing that the timing and character of the noise tells you a lot about what's actually up there.
Grey squirrels are a genuinely common cause of loft noise in this area, particularly in properties near trees, hedgerows or gardens that back onto green spaces — which describes a good number of Thatcham streets. They're bold, they're strong, and unlike some other loft visitors, they're not shy about making a racket.
Why timing is the biggest clue
Squirrels are active during daylight hours and typically quiet down at night. If the noise you're hearing is mostly in the early morning or through the day — running, scratching, gnawing, or a heavy thudding as something moves across the ceiling — that points strongly towards squirrels rather than rats, which tend to be more active after dark. Bats and birds make different sounds again, usually lighter scratching or fluttering near the eaves rather than the loft interior itself.
What squirrel noise actually sounds like
- Fast scurrying or running, often back and forth along the same route
- Loud gnawing or gnashing, particularly around joists, beams or entry points
- A heavier thump or thud than you'd expect from a small rodent — squirrels are considerably bigger than mice
- Rolling or bumping sounds, sometimes caused by nesting material being moved around
- Occasional chattering or squeaking, especially if there are young squirrels present
Don't wait for the noise to tell the whole story
Noise alone is a strong indicator but not a certain diagnosis, and it's easy to underestimate how much damage is happening out of sight. By the time you can hear a squirrel clearly through the ceiling, it has usually already found a way to move freely around the roof space, which means insulation, timber and cabling may already be affected.
If you're hearing daytime activity in your loft in Thatcham, it's worth having it properly inspected rather than guessing. Pest Services Berkshire can identify exactly what's up there, assess how they're getting in, and put together a plan to remove them and stop it happening again — contact us for a free quotation and we'll get someone out to take a proper look.
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