Most homeowners in Twyford first suspect a squirrel problem because of noise from the roof space — but scratching in the loft can come from several different animals, and knowing exactly what you're dealing with makes a real difference to how quickly and effectively it gets sorted.
Grey squirrels are a daytime, loft-dwelling problem, which is actually one of the most useful clues available to you. Unlike many pests that are most active at night, squirrels tend to give themselves away during daylight hours, and the pattern of what you hear and see can tell you a lot before anyone even sets foot in your roof space.
The timing gives it away
If the noise in your loft happens mainly in the early morning and late afternoon, and goes quiet overnight, that's a strong indicator of squirrels rather than rats or mice, which are typically most active after dark. Squirrels are also noticeably heavier-footed — you'll often hear distinct scampering or running along joists, rather than the lighter scurrying associated with rodents.
What to listen and look for
- Scratching and scampering noises concentrated in daylight hours
- Gnawing sounds, particularly around roof timbers, joists or cabling
- Thumping or rolling noises as squirrels move around above the ceiling
- Visible entry points — chewed or damaged soffits, fascias or gaps at the roofline
- Squirrels seen entering or leaving the roof, especially near the eaves
- Disturbed or flattened patches of loft insulation used as nesting material
- Droppings in the loft space, which are larger than mouse or rat droppings
Why early identification matters
Squirrels are capable of causing damage quickly once inside — they chew through insulation to build nests, gnaw at timber, and in some cases damage electrical cabling. The sooner the problem is correctly identified as squirrels rather than another pest, the sooner the right approach can be taken, because the removal and proofing methods used for squirrels are quite different from those used for rats, mice or birds.
Twyford's mix of mature gardens, tree-lined roads and properties backing onto green space gives grey squirrels plenty of routes onto roofs via overhanging branches, fences and garden structures. Loft spaces in the area are a natural draw for squirrels looking for a warm, dry, predator-free place to nest, particularly as the weather turns colder or during the spring breeding period.
If you're hearing daytime activity in your roof space in Twyford, it's worth getting it checked rather than assuming it will resolve itself. Contact Pest Services Berkshire for a full inspection of your loft and roofline, and a clear explanation of what's causing the noise.
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