It's a pattern many Ascot homeowners recognise: squirrels are removed from the loft one year, only for scratching and scampering to return the following autumn or spring. This isn't bad luck — it's a fairly predictable outcome when the reasons a property was attractive to squirrels in the first place haven't been fully addressed.
Squirrel breeding and seasonal behaviour
Grey squirrels typically breed twice a year, with peak nesting periods in late winter to early spring and again in mid to late summer. A loft that's provided a warm, safe nesting site once is exactly what a squirrel — whether the same individual or another from the local population — will be looking for again when the next breeding cycle approaches. Ascot's dense squirrel population, supported by the surrounding woodland, means there's rarely a shortage of animals looking for a suitable spot.
If the entry point was never properly closed
- Removal alone doesn't fix a damaged soffit, gap, or worn timber — the physical opening that let the first squirrel in is often still there
- A single successful entry tends to widen a gap through gnawing, making it, if anything, easier for the next squirrel to use
- Overhanging branches that provided the original access route remain just as usable unless trimmed back
- Scent left behind from a previous nest can, in some cases, make a location more noticeable to other squirrels investigating the area
Why proofing is the step that actually breaks the cycle
Removing squirrels deals with the immediate problem, but it's the proofing work afterward — repairing damaged timber, fitting appropriate mesh, closing gaps around vents and roofline joints — that prevents a repeat the following year. Properties that have squirrels removed but skip proofing are, in our experience, considerably more likely to see activity return, sometimes within the same year.
What to check if you've had squirrels before
If your Ascot property has had squirrels in the roof previously, it's worth having the entry point and surrounding area checked ahead of the main breeding seasons, rather than waiting to hear noise again. A brief inspection can confirm whether previous repairs are holding up and whether any new weak points have developed.
If squirrels have returned to your roof, or you'd rather get ahead of it before they do, Pest Services Berkshire can carry out both removal and thorough proofing to break the cycle for good. Call 0118 336 1366 for a free quotation.
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