Grey squirrels might look cute in the garden, but inside your loft or roof space they are a serious pest. They chew cables and timbers, rip up insulation, contaminate lofts with droppings and keep you awake with loud bangs and scratching. Once they settle in, that loft becomes their territory and they can become aggressive if disturbed.
Beeyond Pest Control provides professional squirrel pest control across Essex. We remove squirrels from lofts, roofs and garages, then find and secure entry points so they cannot get back in. If you think you have squirrels in the loft or roof, we can help you deal with it quickly and safely. Call us on 0800 246 5224.
Squirrel Control
How our squirrel control services work
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Survey and identification
We start with a full inspection of your loft, roof space and garden to confirm you are dealing with grey squirrels rather than rats, mice or birds. We look for squirrel droppings, gnaw marks, damaged timbers and outside entry points such as broken tiles or gaps in soffits. You receive photos and a clear report explaining exactly what is happening, what we have found. and the next steps.
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Trapping and removal
Once we confirm grey squirrel activity, we put a removal plan in place. We use legal, humane squirrel trapping methods, checked regularly, to bring the infestation under control as quickly as possible. All work follows current UK wildlife law, which means trapped grey squirrels cannot be released and must be dispatched humanely. We explain where traps are, how they work and how often we will visit.
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Proofing and loft protection
When the squirrels have been removed, we focus on preventing new ones from moving in. This can include sealing gaps in soffits and fascias, screening vents, repairing minor roof damage and advising on trees, branches or climbing routes that give easy access to the house. You will receive practical advice and a written summary so you know your loft and roof space are properly protected after treatment.
Signs you have squirrels in your loft or roof
Squirrels are active and noisy. Common signs of squirrels in lofts and roof spaces in the UK include:
Loud noises in the loft - Heavy thuds, fast running and scratching sounds, often just before dawn or around dusk. Squirrels are much louder than mice or rats.
Chewed timbers and cables - Fresh gnaw marks (bite marks) on rafters, joists, plastic pipes or wiring. This can lead to leaks or fire risk over time.
Squirrel droppings - Dark, rounded droppings usually found in clusters along run routes or near nests. They are often larger and more rounded than rat droppings.
Shredded insulation and nesting material - Loft insulation, paper and fabric pulled into large nests, often near the eaves or tucked behind tanks and timbers.
Damage outside the house - Holes or chew marks around fascia boards, soffits or vents, along with squirrels regularly seen running along roofs, fences and overhead cables.
If you notice one or more of these signs and suspect a squirrel in the loft or roof, it is best to arrange an inspection and get it checked. Left alone, squirrels can quickly cause costly damage.
Squirrel control FAQs:
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Squirrels in lofts and roof spaces can be dangerous for your property. They have strong teeth and claws and will chew timber, plastic pipes and electrical cables, which can increase the risk of leaks or electrical faults. As they defend nests and young, they can also behave aggressively if cornered. It is safer to let a trained squirrel pest control technician handle them.
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Grey squirrels can carry parasites and diseases such as leptospirosis, which can be spread through contact with contaminated surfaces or water. The risk is low if you avoid direct contact and keep lofts sealed, but it is important that droppings and nesting materials are removed safely and the area is decontaminated after squirrel removal.
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Squirrels are usually louder than rats and tend to be most active early in the morning and late afternoon. You may hear heavy bumps, rolling noises and fast running, rather than light scratching. Squirrel droppings are often larger and more rounded, and you will often see damage around roof edges where they chew their way in. As part of our squirrel pest control survey we confirm whether the noise is from squirrels, rats, mice or birds before we start treatment.
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Where we have availability, we can offer same day emergency call outs for urgent squirrel problems in Essex, especially where there is a squirrel loose in a living space or heavy activity in a loft. We will advise you over the phone on what to do until we arrive and will always be honest about response times.
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Squirrel removal cost depends on the size and layout of your property, how many squirrels are present and how much proofing is required. Most standard houses need several visits for trapping, checks and follow up inspection. After the initial survey we provide a clear quotation so you know the cost of your squirrel removal service before work starts.
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The best squirrel deterrent is to reduce access and make the roof less appealing. Trim back overhanging branches that give easy access to roofs, repair loose tiles and gaps in fascia boards, and avoid leaving large amounts of bird food where squirrels can reach it easily. Where needed, we can install proofing such as mesh on vulnerable entry points to stop squirrels getting into lofts and roof spaces.