Squirrels are adorable outside, but when they invade your loft, things can get messy fast. Scratching noises at dawn, gnawed wires, and damaged insulation are telltale signs of intruders that bring disease and health risks into your home.
We get it, It’s understandably concerning. That’s why learning how to get rid of squirrels in lofts is essential for you. In this blog, we’ll walk you through safe and practical solutions for squirrel removal.
Why do Squirrels Invade the Loft?
Squirrels can enter through gaps as small as a 50-pence coin. Curious why they keep invading your attic? Here’s the scoop:
- Warmth, Dryness, & Food: Bad weather prompts squirrels to find dry, warm, and safe spots for their babies. Your loft provides a high, dry hideout with easy access to food, making it a perfect nesting site.
- Predator Avoidance: With predators like foxes and cats around, squirrels opt for your loft, which offers a secure environment to breed and raise their young.
- All-Season Shelter: Since squirrels are active all year, they need a cosy den to survive winter. They often use materials such as spray foam or fibreglass for insulation and nesting.
- Breeding Nest: Lofts are calm, warm places that are ideal for pregnant female squirrels to build nests, breed, and rear their offspring.
- Teeth Growth: Squirrels’ teeth grow continuously, so they gnaw on cables, wood, or insulation to keep them from overgrowing.
How to Get Rid of Squirrels In Loft and Attic: Humane Methods
Dealing with squirrels in the loft or attic can be tricky. To effectively get rid of these nuisance rodents, follow these five key steps:
Step-1: Deterring and Disrupting Squirrels
Since squirrels prefer dark, quiet spaces, creating a noisy, brightly lit environment can make your attic less appealing. Try these tactics:
- Keep a bright light on in the loft at all times.
- Use a loud radio tuned to talk shows or play music. Yelling into the space can also startle them.
- Place cotton balls soaked in vinegar, ammonia, or essential oils like peppermint or eucalyptus at entry points and active spots.
- Spray a homemade mixture of cayenne pepper, dish soap, and water inside the loft to repel them.
Step 2: Installing a One-way exclusion Door
This is one of the most humane methods for getting rid of squirrels. A one-way exclusion door blocks the main entry point, allowing a squirrel to exit for food and water but preventing it from returning. This method works best when all entry points are sealed with sturdy materials that squirrels can’t chew through.
Important Note: Grey squirrels usually produce two litters annually: the first from February to May, and the second from August to October. It is crucial to avoid installing one-way exclusion doors during these breeding periods, particularly if young squirrels are present inside.
Blocking an exit while the babies are still inside can cause the mother to chew aggressively and cause significant damage to regain access to her young. Additionally, leaving baby squirrels to starve is unethical and inhumane.
Pro Tip: If you suspect young squirrels, especially during the breeding months, it’s better to call in certified experts like Bio Active Pest Control.
Step-3: Live Trapping with Baits
Live trapping with bait is a humane way to catch squirrels. Remember, releasing grey squirrels into the wild is illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so if you trap them, humane euthanasia is often required.
Use attractive bait like peanut butter, nuts, or sunflower seeds. Since legal restrictions can complicate the release process, many people opt to hire professional squirrel control services for humane management.
Step-4: Secure Squirrel Proofing
After removing the squirrels, the next step is to block any possible entry points. Inspect fascia boards, eaves, and the roof for gaps. Keep in mind that squirrels can get through tiny holes, so seal every opening. Here’s what you need to do:
- Use durable materials like galvanised steel mesh or metal when sealing gaps—something sturdy enough that squirrels can’t chew through.
- For vents and large gaps, use heavy-duty wire mesh.
- Trim any tree branches that overhang or come within 10 feet of the roofline, house, windows, or chimney.
- Remove food sources such as bird feeders, leftover outdoor foods, or pet food. Keep your trash can clean and tightly secured.
Step-5: Hire Professionals
Professionals don’t only rely on poisons; they also use humane methods. If the infestation is beyond DIY control, it’s best to hire experts.
Professional extermination may cost more upfront, but it’s worth it in the long run. Always check for proper certifications, online reviews, and credentials before booking any service.
Clear Signs You May Have Squirrels in Your Loft or Attic
Noticing a few strange things around your house? It might be squirrels. Catching them early can save you a lot of trouble. Here’s what to watch for:
1. Noises in the Attic
Squirrels make distinct sounds—scratching, scurrying, thumping—especially in the attic or walls. These are most noticeable during daytime or early mornings.
2. When They are Active
Unlike nocturnal pests, squirrels are active during the day. If you hear noise when it’s light outside, chances are they’re the culprits.
3. Signs of Chewing
Their teeth grow constantly, so they gnaw on wiring, wood, insulation, or nesting materials. Look for chewed electrical wires, torn insulation, or shredded fiberglass.
4. Droppings and Odours
Squirrel droppings are large, round-ended, and resemble large grains or raisins. If you notice these droppings or detect a strong, unpleasant odour, it’s a sign to check for squirrel nests in your attic.
5. Greasy Rub Marks
Squirrels frequently enter and exit through the same points. So they can leave greasy rub marks on walls, beams, or entry points.
6. Peeled Bark or Stolen Food
Signs include peeled bark on tree branches near your roofline or in the yard. Additionally, missing nuts or seeds from bird feeders can indicate squirrel activity.
7. Seeing Live Squirrels
Since squirrels are active during the day, you might spot them in your backyard or around your property.
When to Call Professionals for Squirrel Removal?
DIY methods have their limits. Know when it’s time to call in the experts to handle squirrel removal safely:
- Captured grey squirrels must not be released into the wild, as per UK law. Professionals are trained and authorised to handle and humanely dispatch these animals.
- For red squirrels, contact professionals immediately, since they are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and require specialised, humane removal.
- If you suspect young squirrels are inside a hole, getting professional help is the safest move. They can remove the entire family at once, reducing risks.
- To avoid fire risks and health issues.
- To safeguard your belongings and property.
- When you’re unable to find all entry points.
- If the squirrel activity involves a large colony or nests in hard-to-reach spots.
Final Words
UK homeowners often panic about how to get rid of squirrels in lofts or attics. The good news is that, as covered in this blog, squirrel infestations can be effectively controlled.
Try humane removal first, but for the best and most effective fix, it’s smart to bring in the professionals. And remember, we’re just a call or message away for any pest questions you might have.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Ways to Get Rid of Squirrels in Loft and Attic
1. How To Humanely Get Rid Of Squirrels In The Attic?
Loud noises, bright lights, vinegar, essential oils, one-way doors, and live traps are effective, humane methods for removing squirrels from your attic.
2. How to Get Rid of Squirrels From Your Loft?
Use repellents, loud noises, or spotlights to deter squirrels from your loft. If these DIY tricks don’t work, it’s best to call in professionals.
3. What Food is Poisonous to Squirrels?
Chocolate, caffeine, avocado, onion, garlic, mouldy food, processed salty or sugary junk food, white bread, and sour foods can be toxic to squirrels.
4. How Long Do Coffee Grounds Keep Squirrels Away?
While coffee grounds may temporarily repel squirrels with their smell and taste, they aren’t effective long-term solutions.
5. How Long Do Squirrels Nest In Lofts?
Squirrels can stay in lofts for several months, especially if raising young ones, who typically leave after 10–12 weeks. Adults may stay indefinitely.
6. What’s The Best Squirrel Repellent for Attics?
A combination of deterrents like vinegar, peppermint oil, garlic, noise, and lights—paired with sealing entry points- yields the best results.
7. What Is The Strongest Squirrel Repellent?
Cayenne pepper is notably strong. Combining multiple repellents usually provides better protection than relying on just one.