Get rid of Squirrels in your home
Cute as they may be Squirrels can cause disease as well as the damage to wood and electrics meaning fire risk when they chew wiring. Scroll down for more information about Squirrels and how we go about dealing with them.
Contact us to talk further
We offer a professional inspection of your premises. Please call us now on
0203 393 2338
Get rid of Squirrels in your home
Cute as they may be Squirrels can cause disease as well as the damage to wood and electrics meaning fire risk when they chew wiring. Scroll down for more information about Squirrels and how we go about dealing with them.
Contact us to talk further
Identify
The aim of this section is to help you to identify what type of squirrel you have. Click below to jump to a section.
What type of squirrel do I have?
Click below to see pictures and find out more
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Which type of squirrel do you haveThe grey squirrel or the less common red squirrel |
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The English Red SquirrelThere are two species of squirrel in the UK; red squirrels and grey squirrels. Populations are currently estimated at approximately 140,000 red squirrels. Red squirrels are our native species and have lived in the UK for around 10,000 years. Unfortunately, without conservation management, red squirrels could become extinct in England in approximately 10 years. Length 21cm, weighing in at 300g |
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The American Grey SquirrelPopulations are currently estimated at approximately 2.5 million grey squirrels. Grey squirrels were introduced to the UK from North America by the Victorians in the 1800s, the first record of them escaping and establishing a wild population is 1876. Length 23-30cm and weighing in at 400-600g. |
Which type of squirrel do you have
The grey squirrel or the less common red squirrel
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The English Red Squirrel
There are two species of squirrel in the UK; red squirrels and grey squirrels. Populations are currently estimated at approximately 140,000 red squirrels. Red squirrels are our native species and have lived in the UK for around 10,000 years. Unfortunately, without conservation management, red squirrels could become extinct in England in approximately 10 years. Length 21cm, weighing in at 300g
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The American Grey Squirrel
Populations are currently estimated at approximately 2.5 million grey squirrels. Grey squirrels were introduced to the UK from North America by the Victorians in the 1800s, the first record of them escaping and establishing a wild population is 1876. Length 23-30cm and weighing in at 400-600g.
There are two steps to getting rid of squirrels
Firstly removing what is there, then closing the entry point they’re using (usually a broken/missing tile, eaten wood paneling etc).
What to do now they're in?
Remove squirrels inside your property
Once squirrels manage to get in they can cause a lot of damage so we either remove them or use special squirrel traps. This may require 2 or 3 visits.
Nesting
Sometimes squirrels will have managed to create nests for squirrels inside the loft, then they will be a lot more territorial and fighty. Important for you to get a professional in and not try to tackle this yourself.
Plumbing & cable damage
Sometimes we can identify issues they have caused to make you aware of, for instance if they have chewed electrical cables then letting you know to be able to get it fixed so it can’t cause an electrical fire or plumbing leak to cause damage is a huge benefit of our service.
Repair the damage, keep them out
Identify entry areas
It is important to identify how they are getting in so that we are able to stop them getting in again
We can block the entry points
Once we have identified how they are getting in ie missing or broken tile, chewed hole in wood or even a hole around a pipe which hasn’t been finished correctly we can block it up to stop them in the future
Further work
Sometimes they have caused damage which we can block for now but requires further work for aesthetics. In this case we can take photographs whilst up there and provide you with them to assist any contractors quoting etc
Entry Point examples
The aim of this section is to help you to identify some of the ways they might use
How are they getting in?
Here are a number of areas to help you look for entry points, obviously the best way is to actually see where the squirrel goes
Areas to be looking
Squirrels will usually jump from trees or climb up drain pipes to get onto a wall or roof. Once there they are looking for holes or small holes to gnaw wood and make them larger to get in. This will give you an idea of some places to look.
Beams, joists and soffits
Look for areas where they have gnawed wood
Tunneling into insulation
Squirrels will tunnel through or into insulation as it is soft and warm to use as nesting areas
Missing tiles
Squirrels will either capitalise on a missing tile, pull it off to get in or if there is a broken piece they might still be able to get through the hole
Around Pipes
Either extractor venting pipes, guttering, condensate, there might be small holes they can exploit to gain entry.
Squirrel droppings compared to Rat
Both squirrel, and rat feces are dark brown or black. However, there is a slight difference between the feces of the two pests in shape. Rat droppings are spindle-shaped. Squirrel feces may also be spindle-shaped or they may appear clumped, depending primarily on the moisture content of their food source.
Areas to be looking
Squirrels will usually jump from trees or climb up drain pipes to get onto a wall or roof. Once there they are looking for holes or small holes to gnaw wood and make them larger to get in. This will give you an idea of some places to look.
Beams, joists and soffits
Look for areas where they have gnawed wood
Tunneling into insulation
Squirrels will tunnel through or into insulation as it is soft and warm to use as nesting areas
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Missing tiles
Squirrels will either capitalise on a missing tile, pull it off to get in or if there is a broken piece they might still be able to get through the hole
Around Pipes
Either extractor venting pipes, guttering, condensate, there might be small holes they can exploit to gain entry.
Squirrel droppings compared to Rat
Both squirrel, and rat feces are dark brown or black. However, there is a slight difference between the feces of the two pests in shape. Rat droppings are spindle-shaped. Squirrel feces may also be spindle-shaped or they may appear clumped, depending primarily on the moisture content of their food source.
Closing holes to stop them getting back in
We identify the way they are managing to gain entry to your property and close it to stop others coming b
After our visit
The aim of this section is to cover what you need to know for straight after a treatment as well as things not to do so you don’t make mistakes
After your appointment
Take note of when you hear activity
Giving us information between appointments is very useful so we know when the last activtiy was etc
Don't move traps or bait
As they rely on smell we might add our scent to traps or bait trays to make them less likely to go for it which we don’t want. Also if things move it may be a few days again before they start going for it.
Definitely don't touch traps
As squirrel traps are set at high tension you could hurt or break your fingers if it goes off with them in it. Just leave them alone for us to deal with, talk to us for more information
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some frequently asked questions with answers to hopefully answer most of the things you want to know.
They are coming in as they are looking for an area to nest in
Squirrels and other rodents have teeth that never stop growing. That’s why they’re always gnawing on things, to keep them worn down. It also helps to sharpen their teeth. Mostly it is as they are trying to make a way into your roof space
Yes squirrels either jump onto your roof or climb pipework to get to somewhere they can get in
Squirrels are typically active all day, especially during the fall and spring months when they are more actively in search of food. However, as with most animals, your best chances to hunt are during the hours of dawn and dusk.
Yes unfortunately this is quite a common occourance so time is of the essence, don’t wait, call us now to make an appointment.
Yes, but only once clear. Either vacuum or with a dustpan or something to clear shredded insulation, wood shavings or droppings. This will mean that if there is anything arriving in the future you will know. Also by doing this at the end means that there isn’t too much disturbance in their environment to make them wary of going near bait or traps.
Sometimes this is possible yes, call us to find out what the earliest available appointment is.
We use unmarked vehicles thereby not highlighting the reason for our visit. If anyone asks us we can say we are doing a little building work and not disclose anything.
Yes our service is insured for up to £10 Million of cover.
Yes we are RSPH Level 2 certified which is the highest level in pest management so you know you are in good hands.
Let's get in touch
Get us to call you back to talk more or book an appointment
We offer a professional inspection of your premises. Please call us now on
0203 393 2338