Gnawing above the bedroom at dawn and a trail of chewed bark in the garden: a loft in Retford can become a squirrel drey with surprising speed.
A grey squirrel looks for a dry, warm and quiet space to build a nest, and the roof void of a house offers exactly that. Insulation is ideal for nest material, and gaps at the eaves or under slipped tiles are an easy entrance. Squirrels are agile climbers and can reach a roof from a branch, a fence or a drainpipe. Once one enters, others often follow, and a female may raise young inside.
Retford is a market town in Bassetlaw district in north Nottinghamshire on the Chesterfield Canal, with older town-centre property and later housing. Properties near the canal often back onto mature trees and long gardens, which provide the routes squirrels use. Older buildings in the centre have more varied rooflines, with chimneys, lead valleys and ageing pointing, and every one of those is a potential way in.
Gnawed electrical cable is a real concern, because exposed wire in a loft can be a fire risk. Squirrels also strip insulation, foul it with urine and droppings, and can damage tanks and pipes. A damp, soiled loft leaves a lingering smell. The sooner you find out what is happening, the lower the cost of repair.
We start by looking at the outside of the building for entry points and checking the loft for signs of activity and nesting. Grey squirrels are subject to strict legal controls, and any method has to be humane and lawful. Once they are out, we proof the entry points and advise on any repairs. If there are young present, we plan the work carefully.
The cost and time depend on how many entrances there are, how high the roof is and what damage has been done. We can give clear advice after the survey so that you know what is involved before agreeing to go ahead.
Gardens that back onto the canal path or a line of mature trees give squirrels a high route, so it is worth looking at which branches come within a metre or two of the roof. Birds feeders attract squirrels too, and feeders hung near a wall or shed roof act as a ladder. Moving feeders away from the building and trimming overhanging branches reduces the number of visits, although neither is a substitute for closing the gaps.
Call 0115 937 5117 to arrange a visit. We are fully insured and offer appointments to suit you.
Squirrels are active in daylight and make heavy, bounding noises, while rats are usually heard at night. Droppings and gnawing give more clues, and a survey can confirm the animal.
It is not wise to do so until you know the loft is empty. Trapping an animal inside, or separating a mother from her young, can cause more damage and distress.
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.
