Scratching at first light, a thumping above the bedroom and a chewed cable at the eaves: grey squirrels are often the cause, and a loft on a Hucknall estate suits them well.
Rats scurry mostly at night. Grey squirrels are daytime animals, so scrabbling, gnawing and the sound of something dragging material across the ceiling in the morning or late afternoon usually points to them. They enter through very small gaps at the eaves, under loose tiles, along fascia boards or where a roof meets a neighbouring wall, often reached from a tree or fence that lets them jump the last stretch. Once inside they pull insulation into a nest, and a female may use it for a litter.
Hucknall is a former mining town with older property near the centre and large later estates around it. The estate houses usually have uniform roofs, plastic soffits and tidy gardens with mature trees or hedges, which gives squirrels both a route and a reason. Older houses give them more ways in, where tiles have slipped or mortar has crumbled at the verge.
Squirrels gnaw constantly to wear down their teeth, and in a loft that means timber, water pipes and electrical cable. Chewed cable is a fire concern, and an insurer or electrician will want to know about it. Droppings and urine soak into insulation, and a nest can block ventilation. The longer they stay, the more damage builds up, so waiting for the noise to stop is rarely a good plan.
A survey finds the entry points and confirms the animal. Grey squirrels are controlled under strict rules and any method has to be lawful and humane, so we agree the approach with you before work starts. Once the loft is clear, the entry points are proofed so the problem does not return, and any soiled insulation may need replacing. The time it takes depends on how many access points there are and how long the animals have been in residence.
It helps to know the season. Grey squirrels commonly breed in late winter and again in summer, so a loft that sounds quiet in one month can hold young in another. If you suspect a nest, keep children and pets away from the hatch, avoid handling droppings with bare hands and wash afterwards. Take a few photographs of any chewing you can see, as they are useful for the survey and for an electrician or insurer if cable has been damaged.
If you hear something in the roof, call 0115 937 5117. Appointments to suit you are available, and we are fully insured to work at height.
Timing is the first clue. Squirrels are active by day and make heavy scrabbling noises, while rats are mostly heard at night. Droppings and gnaw marks help, and a survey can confirm which animal you have.
Seldom for long. A loft is warm and dry, and a nest site is valuable. Even if they leave, they often return unless the entry points are properly closed with durable proofing.
Tell us what you have seen and where, and we will come back to you. Prices are fixed and there is no call-out charge.
