Squirrels in a Crowthorne Loft: How Can You Tell?

Roof space noise worries people, but before assuming the worst it helps to know what you are actually listening for. We inspect a lot of lofts across Crowthorne where the homeowner suspected rats, birds or even bats, when the real cause was a grey squirrel. Squirrels have distinctive habits that, once you know what to look for, make them fairly easy to tell apart from other loft pests.

Timing is the biggest giveaway

The single most useful clue is when you hear the noise. Squirrels are active during daylight hours, so scratching, running and rolling sounds from the roof space in the morning or through the day, which then go quiet at night, point strongly towards a squirrel rather than a rat or mouse, which are typically active after dark.

Sounds and movements to listen for

• Heavy scratching or scrabbling, often followed by a period of quiet
• A distinct rolling or thumping noise, caused by a squirrel moving nuts or nesting material around
• Gnawing sounds, particularly early morning or late afternoon
• Noise that seems to move along the roofline as the squirrel travels between the eaves and the main loft space
• A single animal moving with some weight and speed, rather than the light scurry typical of mice

Physical signs to check for

If you can safely look into the loft, or want us to check for you, there are several physical signs that confirm squirrel activity. Chewed timber, particularly around roof joists, rafters and the edges of loft hatches, is common because a squirrel's teeth grow continuously and gnawing keeps them worn down. You may also find shredded loft insulation pulled together into a nest, known as a drey, along with droppings that are noticeably larger than mouse or rat droppings and often found in small clusters near the nest site.

Signs from outside the property

It is also worth checking the outside of your roofline. Gnawed or damaged soffits and fascias, gaps that have appeared around roof vents, and squirrels visibly running along fence lines, branches or the roof edge into a gap near the eaves are all strong indicators that something has established access to your loft from outside.

If you are hearing daytime noise in your Crowthorne home and want a definite answer rather than a guess, Pest Services Berkshire can carry out a full loft inspection, confirm exactly what is present, and explain the next steps. Contact us for a free quotation and put your mind at rest.

Why Choose Pest Services Berkshire

We're grey squirrel control specialists covering Crowthorne 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.