Why Are Squirrels Getting Into Lofts in Windsor?

Grey squirrels are agile, persistent, and surprisingly strong for their size — a squirrel can gnaw through timber that looks perfectly solid from the ground, and it only takes a gap of around 4cm for an adult to squeeze through. In Windsor, where mature trees sit close to rooflines on many streets and a lot of the housing stock is older, lofts offer exactly what a squirrel is looking for: shelter, warmth, and a quiet, dry space to nest and raise young.

Windsor's trees put squirrels within reach of your roof

Much of Windsor's charm comes from its mature trees — the oaks, horse chestnuts and planes that line streets near Windsor Great Park, the Home Park, and older residential roads through Clewer, Dedworth and Old Windsor. For squirrels, an overhanging branch is simply a bridge onto the roof. Once on the tiles, they'll investigate any gap, weak point or loose section of roofline within reach, and a soffit or fascia board doesn't need to be badly damaged before a determined squirrel can widen it.

Older roofs and roofline features are easier to breach

• Timber soffits and fascias that have softened with age or weather exposure are far easier to gnaw through than modern uPVC
• Gaps around gable ends, ridge tiles, or where roof valleys meet can widen over time and go unnoticed from ground level
• Missing or slipped roof tiles create an obvious entry point directly into the roof space
• Old vents, chimney gaps and disused pipework offer ready-made access with minimal chewing required
• Loft extensions or roofline alterations sometimes leave small construction gaps that were never properly sealed

Seasonal behaviour plays a part too

Squirrel activity in lofts tends to pick up in autumn, as squirrels look for a secure, insulated place to shelter through winter, and again in spring, when females look for a safe nesting site to raise young. A loft that has been quiet for months can suddenly become active at these times of year, which is why homeowners in Windsor often report squirrel noise starting quite suddenly rather than building up gradually.

Once one squirrel finds a way in, the entry point rarely stays a secret from the local population for long — the gap is there for any squirrel to find and use, not just the first one. If you've noticed activity in your roof space, the sooner it's investigated the less repair work is usually needed. Pest Services Berkshire carries out full loft and roofline inspections for Windsor properties to find out exactly how squirrels are getting in — contact us to arrange a visit.

Why Choose Pest Services Berkshire

We're grey squirrel control specialists covering Windsor 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.