Grey Squirrel Damage to Roofs, Cables and Insulation

A squirrel's front teeth never stop growing, so it has to keep gnawing to wear them down. In a garden that means bark and bird feeders. In a roof space it means whatever is nearest.

The damage tends to fall into three areas: the roof structure, the wiring and pipes, and the insulation. Each carries a different level of risk.

Roof structure and the roofline

Squirrels often widen existing gaps rather than start from scratch. Soft or weathered fascias, soffits, bargeboards and lead flashing are easy targets, and a small hole can become a larger one over a few weeks.

Once they are in, they chew rafters, battens and the underside of the roof covering, and may displace tiles. Rainwater can then get in through the damage, which becomes a separate and sometimes costly problem.

It is easy to underestimate how much damage a single animal can do. A family in a roof space, with a nest built into the insulation, can undermine several parts of the structure in one season, and the first you may know of it is a noise, a stain or a tripped circuit.

Electrical cables

This is the damage people worry about, rightly. Gnawed insulation on a cable can expose the live conductor, which creates a risk of short circuits and, in the worst case, a fire in a space that is hard to see.

Signs include lights that flicker, circuits that trip for no clear reason, or a smell of burning. Do not touch a damaged cable. Switch off at the consumer unit if you can do so safely and have a qualified electrician inspect it.

• Check cables running along joists from the hatch with a torch
• Look for bare copper or stripped sheathing
• Ask an electrician to check after any squirrel activity

Pipes and water tanks

Plastic pipes and tank lids can be chewed, and overflow pipes sometimes get gnawed. A slow leak in the loft can run unnoticed until a stain appears on the ceiling below.

If you see a new brown patch on a ceiling after squirrels have been about, take it seriously and have it checked.

Insulation, nesting and hygiene

Squirrels pull insulation apart to build nests, which leaves cold spots and lowers the performance of the whole layer. Droppings and urine soak into the material and can leave a lingering smell.

Contaminated insulation often needs to be taken out and replaced. Wear gloves and a mask if you handle any, and speak to a pharmacist or GP if you feel unwell afterwards.

Stopping the damage

Repairs only last if the squirrels are removed and the entry points are secured, or they will return and repeat the damage. Essex Pest Solutions can deal with the animals and point out where they got in. Roof, electrical and insulation repairs are then handled by the relevant tradespeople.

If you plan to make an insurance claim, take photographs of the damage and read your policy, as cover differs from one to the next.

Keep a written note of when you first heard noises and what you have found, since it helps any tradesperson or insurer understand how far the damage has spread. Avoid disturbing the loft more than you need, and do not step off the joists, as ceilings will not take your weight.

Frequently asked questions