Signs of Squirrels in Your Loft: How to Identify an Infestation
The clearest signs of squirrels in your loft are scratching or scurrying noises during the day, droppings that look like large raisins, gnawed wood or wiring, torn loft insulation, and a strong smell of urine. Squirrels are most active at dawn and dusk, so noises at these times are a strong clue that they’ve moved in.Squirrels might look cute in the garden, but once they get into your loft, they can cause serious damage and even become a fire risk. Knowing the early signs helps you catch a problem before it grows into a much bigger one. Here’s everything you need to look out for, and what to do if you think squirrels have moved in.
If you’re dealing with rats or mice instead of squirrels, our rat and mice control service covers both prevention and treatment, and our guide on cleaning up rodent droppings safely explains how to handle droppings without health risks.
Why Do Squirrels Get Into Lofts?
Squirrels don’t set out to cause trouble. They’re simply looking for a warm, safe, and quiet place to build a nest, known as a drey. A loft ticks all of these boxes, which is why it’s such a common target.What Attracts Squirrels to Your Loft?
A few things make a loft appealing to squirrels:- Warmth and shelter from the weather
- A quiet space away from predators
- Nearby trees or fences that give easy access to the roof
- Loft insulation that can be pulled apart and used as nesting material
- Bird feeders or food waste nearby that keep squirrels close to your home
How Do Squirrels Get Into a Loft?
Squirrels are excellent climbers and jumpers. They can leap up to 3 metres from a tree branch onto a roof, and they can also climb straight up brickwork, drainpipes, and fences. Once on the roof, they look for small gaps around the eaves, soffits, damaged fascia boards, loose roof tiles, or vents. Even a small hole is enough, since squirrels can widen gaps by gnawing through wood.Grey Squirrels vs Red Squirrels: Which One Is in Your Loft?
In the UK, the squirrel in your loft is almost always a grey squirrel. Grey squirrels are common across England and Wales, live comfortably close to people, and are the species most often linked to loft damage. Red squirrels, on the other hand, are native to the UK and are a protected species. They’re rare, mostly found in parts of Scotland, northern England, and a few isolated areas elsewhere, and it’s illegal to disturb them or their nests. If you’re in Reading or the surrounding area, the squirrel causing you trouble is almost certainly grey — but a professional can always confirm this for you.10 Signs of Squirrels in Your Loft
Here are the clearest signs to look and listen for.1. Scratching and Scurrying Noises
The most common sign is noise. You might hear scratching, scurrying, or rolling sounds coming from your loft or ceiling space.2. Noises During the Day, Not Just at Night
Unlike rats and mice, squirrels are diurnal, which means they’re active during the day. If you’re hearing movement in the loft in the early morning or late afternoon, especially around dawn and dusk, squirrels are a likely cause.3. Droppings in the Loft
Squirrel droppings are dark brown, rounded, and roughly the size of a raisin. They’re often found in clusters near a nest or along loft beams. If you’re not sure whether droppings belong to squirrels, rats, or mice, it’s best not to touch them and instead get advice from a professional.4. Gnawed or Damaged Wood
Squirrels have strong teeth that never stop growing, so they gnaw constantly to keep them worn down. Look for chew marks on roof timbers, joists, and fascia boards.5. Chewed or Stripped Electrical Wiring
This is one of the most serious signs, since chewed wiring can lead to house fires. If you notice damaged or exposed wires in your loft, treat this as a priority and avoid using any electrics in that area until it’s been checked.6. Torn or Disturbed Loft Insulation
Squirrels often pull apart loft insulation to use as soft nesting material. If your insulation looks shredded, pulled into piles, or dragged into a corner, this is a strong sign of squirrel activity.7. A Strong Smell of Urine
A persistent, unpleasant smell in the loft can be a sign that squirrels have been living there for some time. The longer an infestation goes on, the stronger this smell tends to become.8. Squirrels Seen Entering or Leaving the Roof
Sometimes the clearest sign is simply seeing a squirrel go in or out of a gap in your roofline, especially around dawn or dusk when they leave to feed and return to rest.9. Damaged Bird Feeders Near Your Home
If bird feeders in your garden are frequently knocked over, raided, or damaged, this can be a sign that squirrels are active close to your home, and may already be exploring your roof space. Our bird control services can help if squirrels and birds are both causing problems in your garden.10. Visible Nests (Dreys) in the Loft
If you do get a chance to look into your loft space safely, you may spot the nest itself. A drey is usually a large, messy ball made from twigs, leaves, insulation, and other soft materials.Squirrel Signs vs Rat and Mice Signs: What’s the Difference?
Since squirrels, rats, and mice can all end up in a loft, it helps to know how to tell them apart.| Sign | Squirrels | Rats and Mice |
| Active time | Mostly during the day | Mostly at night |
| Droppings | Larger, rounded, raisin-like | Smaller, pointed at the ends |
| Noise | Scratching, scurrying, rolling sounds | Scratching, squeaking |
| Damage | Gnawed wood, wiring, insulation | Gnawed wood, wiring, packaging |
| Nesting | Large drey made of twigs and insulation | Smaller nests made of shredded material |
Why Squirrels in Your Loft Are a Serious Problem
Squirrels aren’t just noisy. They can cause real damage if left alone:- Fire risk from gnawed electrical wiring
- Structural damage to roof timbers and joists
- Reduced insulation performance, since torn insulation doesn’t work as well
- Contamination from droppings and urine
- Costly repairs, since squirrel damage isn’t always covered as standard by home insurance
Is It Legal to Remove Squirrels From Your Loft Yourself?
This is an important question, and the answer is more complicated than most people expect. Grey squirrels are classed as an invasive, non-native species in the UK. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it’s illegal to release a trapped grey squirrel back into the wild. This means that if you trap one yourself, you’re legally required to have it humanely dispatched rather than simply letting it go elsewhere.This is one of the main reasons DIY squirrel removal isn’t as simple as it sounds. There are also practical challenges: traps need to be checked regularly, breeding season timing matters, and you need to be certain no squirrels or young are left behind before sealing up entry points. The BPCA’s guidance on grey squirrels recommends professional treatment for exactly these reasons, and stresses that proofing a property properly is usually more effective than DIY attempts alone.What Should You Do If You Suspect Squirrels in Your Loft?
If you think squirrels have moved in, here’s a sensible order to follow:- Avoid entering the loft unnecessarily, especially near suspected nesting areas.
- Don’t attempt to seal entry points until you’re sure no squirrels are inside.
- Check for obvious signs like droppings, noise, or damage from a safe distance.
- Avoid touching droppings or nesting material directly.
- Note when you hear activity, since timing can help confirm what you’re dealing with.
- Arrange a professional inspection if signs continue.
How to Check for a Squirrel Nest (Drey) in Your Loft
If you do need to check your loft, look for a large, rounded mass of twigs, leaves, and shredded insulation, usually tucked into a corner or against roof timbers. Avoid disturbing it directly, especially during spring and summer, since young squirrels may be inside. If you’re not confident checking the loft yourself, it’s safer to leave this to a professional who can assess the space properly.How to Prevent Squirrels From Getting Into Your Loft
Prevention is almost always easier than dealing with an existing infestation. A few simple steps make a big difference:- Trim back tree branches and climbing plants near the roofline
- Fit a metal guard around exposed drainpipes to stop squirrels climbing up
- Seal gaps around eaves, soffits, and vents with strong wire mesh
- Repair damaged fascia boards promptly
- Keep bird feeders secure and clean up spilled food regularly
- Check your roof and loft space at least once or twice a year
What Happens After a Squirrel Infestation Is Removed?
Once squirrels have been removed, the job isn’t quite finished. Damaged insulation often needs replacing, since torn or urine-contaminated insulation no longer performs properly. Any exposed or chewed wiring should be checked and repaired by a qualified electrician. If your loft has been used for storage, items may also need cleaning or disposing of. Our loft clearance service can help clear out contaminated insulation and debris safely, so your loft is ready for repairs and reinsulation.When Should You Call a Professional Squirrel Removal Service?
It’s worth calling in a professional if:- You hear regular scratching or scurrying noises during the day
- You’ve found droppings, gnaw marks, or damaged wiring
- You’ve spotted a nest or squirrels entering your roof
- You’re not confident identifying the difference between squirrels and rodents
- You want entry points sealed properly without trapping animals inside
- You’d rather not handle trapping and humane dispatch yourself