Faced with scratching in the loft, it's natural to consider handling it yourself before calling in a professional. Squirrel removal, however, is one of the trickier DIY pest jobs to get right, and there are a few practical and legal issues worth understanding before deciding how to approach it on a Theale property.
The practical challenges
Loft spaces are often difficult to access safely, particularly around the eaves where insulation, low headroom and exposed nails or timber make careful movement essential. Squirrels themselves can also be surprisingly capable of defending a nest, especially a female with young, and bites and scratches carry a real infection risk. Trap placement matters too - positioned wrongly, traps can sit unused for weeks while the squirrels simply avoid them.
The legal side of grey squirrel control
Grey squirrels are an invasive non-native species in the UK, but their control is still subject to legal requirements around welfare and how they may lawfully be trapped, handled and dispatched. Simply releasing a trapped grey squirrel elsewhere is not a lawful option in England. Getting this wrong isn't just a welfare concern, it can also mean the problem isn't actually resolved.
Why DIY attempts often don't finish the job
- One or two squirrels removed, while others remain undetected in the same loft
- Entry points left unsealed, allowing new squirrels to move in shortly after
- Traps set in the wrong locations, based on where noise is heard rather than where squirrels actually travel
- No proper check for young in a nest, which can be missed without a thorough inspection
- Damage to wiring or timber going unnoticed because there's no full loft assessment
What a professional approach adds
A trained technician brings the right equipment, a proper understanding of squirrel behaviour, and knowledge of the legal framework around their control, alongside experience of exactly where to look for entry points on a typical Theale roofline. This generally means the job is completed properly the first time, with proofing carried out to stop the problem recurring.
If you're weighing up DIY versus professional squirrel removal, it's worth getting a free quotation first so you know exactly what's involved. Contact Pest Services Berkshire and we'll talk you through the options honestly.
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We're grey squirrel control specialists covering Theale and the surrounding area, investigating both the current infestation and how the animals are getting in. Every job starts with a free, no-obligation quotation.