It's a frustrating pattern we hear about often from Reading homeowners: squirrels were dealt with once, maybe even twice, and yet the scratching in the loft starts up again within a matter of months. This isn't unusual, and it isn't bad luck — there are specific reasons squirrels keep coming back to the same roof space.
The entry point was never properly sealed
By far the most common reason for repeat activity is that the original access point — a gap at the soffit, a damaged vent, a slipped tile — was never fully closed up after the squirrels were removed. A gap that let one squirrel in will let the next one in too, whether that's the same animal returning or a different one that finds the same opening.
Squirrels are territorial and habitual
Grey squirrels tend to establish and reuse routes and shelter sites that have worked for them before. A loft that has previously provided warm, dry, sheltered nesting space is an attractive proposition, and scent left behind from a previous nest can make a roof space more appealing to other squirrels in the area, not just the original occupant.
Surrounding trees and gardens keep the pressure up
- Properties near mature trees or green spaces around Reading naturally have more squirrels passing through or nearby
- Overhanging branches provide an easy route straight onto the roofline
- Bird feeders and accessible food sources in gardens can keep squirrel activity concentrated around a property
- Neighbouring properties with their own unsealed gaps can keep local squirrel numbers high in a street or area
Partial fixes don't hold up, so breaking the cycle takes a thorough approach
Sometimes a homeowner or a general handyman will patch an obvious hole with materials that aren't tough enough to resist a squirrel's teeth, or will miss a second, less obvious entry point altogether, and because squirrels are strong, persistent chewers, anything less than a properly sealed, durable repair tends to be temporary at best. Stopping squirrels returning for good comes down to combining thorough removal with a full inspection of the roofline and proper, durable proofing of every entry point found, then checking the roof periodically afterwards since storm damage or general wear can create new gaps over time.
If squirrels keep coming back to your Reading property, it's worth having the whole roofline properly assessed rather than dealing with it as a repeat one-off. Contact Pest Services Berkshire on 0118 336 1366 for a free quotation and we'll aim to find and fix the underlying cause, not just the current activity.
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