It's a familiar moment for homeowners across Sandhurst: you're sitting in the lounge or lying in bed mid-morning and you hear scratching, scurrying, or a soft thump coming from directly above you. The first question is usually "what is that?" — and the time of day you hear it is actually one of the most useful clues you have.
Why daytime activity points to squirrels
Grey squirrels are diurnal, meaning they're active during daylight hours and typically rest at night. If the noise in your roof space tends to happen from early morning through to dusk — and goes quiet once it's properly dark — that pattern fits squirrel behaviour far better than most other loft intruders. Rats and mice, by contrast, are largely nocturnal, so scratching that consistently ramps up after dark is more likely to point elsewhere.
What the noise itself tends to sound like
- Heavier, more deliberate scampering than the light patter typical of mice
- Scratching or gnawing concentrated near the eaves, roofline, or one particular corner of the loft
- Rolling or bumping sounds, often from acorns, nuts or other food being cached and moved around
- Bursts of activity rather than constant movement, especially around dawn and again in the late afternoon
Other signs worth checking alongside the noise
Sound alone is a good indicator but not proof on its own. If you can safely access the loft hatch, look for gnawed timber, flattened or displaced insulation, a rough ball-shaped nest of shredded material, or droppings roughly the size of a large raisin. From outside, walk the perimeter of the roof and look up at the soffits and fascias for chewed edges, gaps, or dark staining where a squirrel has been squeezing in and out repeatedly.
Why it's worth acting quickly once you suspect squirrels
Squirrels that have settled into a Sandhurst loft don't tend to leave on their own, and the longer they stay, the more damage accumulates — to insulation, timber, and potentially to electrical cabling running through the roof space. What starts as an occasional daytime scratch can become a full nesting site within a matter of weeks if the entry point isn't dealt with.
If the timing, sound, or any of the signs above match what you're hearing, it's worth having a professional confirm what you're dealing with before it escalates. Pest Services Berkshire carries out loft inspections across Sandhurst and can identify squirrel activity quickly — call 0118 336 1366 for a free quotation.
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