Surrounded by farmland and hedgerows, an old farmhouse or outbuilding is easy for a squirrel to reach. The first sign is often noise just after dawn.
Grey squirrels are active by day, so scrabbling and bounding in the early morning or late afternoon is a clue. Rats come out mainly at night. A squirrel in a loft often makes a heavy, thumping sound, with gnawing as it chews timber. If you hear chattering or scratching at dusk, it could be young in a nest. In spring and summer, a female raising young will stay put, defending the loft.
Meering is a small rural settlement in the Newark area, surrounded by farmland. Trees and hedgerows give squirrels easy routes to roofs, and traditional rural buildings often have old tiles, open eaves, timber fascias and barn-style roofs with gaps. Outbuildings, stables and converted barns are as vulnerable as houses. In a quiet, unheated roof void, a squirrel can settle without ever being seen.
Squirrels chew wiring, water pipes and roof timbers, and the damage can be expensive. Chewed cable is a fire risk. Nests block ventilation, and droppings and urine soil insulation. In old rural buildings, repairs are often harder because of the roof structure and access. Early action keeps the damage small.
We inspect the roof and loft to confirm the animal and find entry points. Grey squirrels are controlled under strict legal rules and must be dealt with humanely. We discuss the options and plan the work around any young in the nest. When the loft is clear, entry points are proofed using durable materials and any chewed or soiled areas noted for repair.
Cost and duration depend on the size of the roof, the number of access points and the access needed. Where scaffolding or ladders are required, we explain this in advance.
Check outbuildings too. Squirrels use garages, stables and storage sheds just as readily as a house loft, and the damage is often found late because nobody goes in. Stored upholstery, fabric and feed bags make fine nest material. If you notice shredded fabric, hazelnut shells or droppings in a store, treat it as a sign of activity and call us before the problem spreads to the main building.
Our staff are CRB checked and fully insured. Call 0115 937 5117 to arrange a visit.
Yes. Converted barns often have timber, wiring and insulation in roof voids that squirrels can reach through gaps. A survey can identify weak points and advise on proofing.
Waiting can allow more damage. If young are present, the work is planned carefully and humanely. A survey will show what is happening and the right way to proceed.
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.
