Once you've spotted the gap a squirrel is using to get into your loft, the instinct is to grab some filler, mesh or a bit of wood and block it up as soon as possible. It's an understandable reaction, but doing it before confirming the roof space is actually empty can turn a manageable problem into a much worse one.
The problem with sealing too soon
If a squirrel, or worse, a nest of young squirrels, is still inside when the entry point is blocked, they have no way out. Trapped squirrels will often cause significant additional damage trying to force their way back out through timber, plasterboard or wiring, and in the worst cases an animal can die in the roof space, leading to a serious odour and pest problem that's far more unpleasant to resolve than the original infestation.
The right order of operations
- Inspect the loft thoroughly to establish how many squirrels are present and whether there's a nest with young
- Remove the squirrels using an appropriate, lawful method suited to the situation
- Confirm the roof space is genuinely clear before any permanent sealing takes place
- Seal all entry points with durable, squirrel-proof materials once removal is confirmed
- Check the rest of the roofline for other weak spots, since squirrels rarely rely on just one route
One-way solutions exist for a reason
In many cases, the right approach involves a controlled process that allows squirrels to leave the roof space but not re-enter, rather than an all-at-once seal. This avoids the trapping risk entirely while still working towards a fully sealed, squirrel-proof roof once the space is confirmed empty. It's a more methodical process than a DIY fix, but it's the difference between solving the problem properly and creating a new, worse one.
If you've found an entry hole in your Thatcham property, resist the urge to block it up straight away and get it looked at properly first. Pest Services Berkshire will assess what's actually in your roof space before any sealing work begins, so nothing gets trapped and the job is done right the first time — contact us for a free quotation.
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