How to Get Squirrels Out of Your Loft Humanely

The temptation is obvious: find the hole, stuff it shut, and the problem goes away. It does not work like that, and it can make matters worse for the animals and for you.

Removing squirrels responsibly is a sequence of steps, and the order matters. This is how it generally works and why.

The mistake to avoid first

Never seal an entry point before you know the loft is empty. A squirrel shut inside will gnaw through ceilings, boards and wiring to escape, and if there are young in a nest they can be left to starve in the roof, which causes distress and a smell.

Likewise, do not poke at a nest or try to shift an animal by hand. Squirrels bite and scratch when cornered, and a frightened one can run into living space.

Take pets and children out of the picture too. Keep them away from the loft hatch and any areas where droppings or nest material are, until the space has been checked and cleaned. Squirrels carry parasites such as fleas, so wash your hands after any contact with the loft.

• Do not block holes until you are certain nothing is inside
• Do not put your head or arms into a nest area
• Do not use shop-bought poisons, which are a danger to pets and wildlife

Step one: confirm what you have

A proper inspection identifies the species, the number of animals, how they are getting in and whether there is a nest. It also shows whether young are present, which changes the approach.

Timing matters. Squirrels can breed in late winter through to summer, so a plan that suits an empty loft in the autumn may not suit a loft with litters in spring.

Step two: remove the animals lawfully

Grey squirrels are treated differently in law from native wildlife. One point is clear: a trapped grey squirrel must not be released back into the wild. Check current guidance if you are unsure, and avoid doing this yourself.

Experienced technicians use controlled methods and check them regularly so that animals are not left distressed. This is a job where inexperience can cause suffering, and it is a good reason to leave it to people who do it routinely.

Be wary of any plan that relies on a one-way door left on a hole without checking the loft. These devices have a place, but only when someone has confirmed there are no dependent young inside and monitors the result. If nobody is checking, it is a gamble with an animal's welfare.

Step three: close the way in

Once the loft is confirmed empty, entry points can be repaired. Squirrels exploit weak spots like eaves, gaps under tiles and rotting fascias, so the repair has to be tough enough to withstand gnawing. Metal mesh or flashing generally outlasts foam or a soft filler.

Essex Pest Solutions deals with the squirrels themselves, and any building repairs that are needed beyond that are handled more reliably by a roofer or builder.

Step four: clean up and check

Old nesting material and droppings should be cleared with care, using gloves and a mask. Damaged insulation may need replacing, and any chewed cables should be checked by an electrician before you carry on using the circuit.

Trim back branches that give a bridge to the roof, and keep an eye out for fresh activity over the following weeks.

Frequently asked questions