Confirm
We check the loft and roofline to confirm squirrels rather than rats or birds, gauge numbers, look for young and find the entry points.
Squirrel Control in Wakefield and West Yorkshire
Practical pest control support for homes and businesses.
Squirrel Control
Squirrel control for lofts and roof spaces in Wakefield and West Yorkshire, with inspection, damage checks, legal control options and proofing advice.
We deal with grey squirrels in lofts and roof spaces across Wakefield and West Yorkshire, from confirming what is up there to trapping and proofing the roofline.
About Squirrel Control
Why squirrels in the loft need dealing with properly
Squirrels in the loft are a damage problem first and a noise problem second. Grey squirrels strip loft insulation for nesting, gnaw timbers, pipes and cables, and soak the insulation under the nest with urine and droppings.
At VermiCure we first confirm it is squirrels rather than rats or birds, because the law and the method differ. We trap the squirrels inside, then find and seal the roofline gaps they came through. We cover squirrel removal in Wakefield and across West Yorkshire for homeowners, landlords and managing agents.
A non-native species with rules attached
Grey squirrels are listed as invasive non-native under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Releasing one after trapping is an offence, so trapping is only for someone prepared to act lawfully.
They chew for a living
A squirrel's front teeth grow continuously, so it gnaws timber, plastic, cable sheathing and lead flashing. Chewed cables in a loft are a fire risk.
They nest in your insulation
Loft insulation is torn up into a drey and the area around it becomes a toilet. Soiled insulation has to be removed, not hoovered.
They get in high up
A 40mm gap at the eaves, a lifted tile, a rotten fascia or a chewed soffit vent is enough; they jump from trees and cables onto the roof.
There are young in the loft twice a year
Grey squirrels raise litters in late winter and again in summer. Sealing the loft with young inside leaves them to die in the roof space, so timing matters.
Signs you have squirrels in the loft
Noise at dawn and dusk
Heavy scampering, scratching and thumping across the ceiling, loudest early morning and late afternoon.
Chewed timber, pipes and cables
Fresh gnaw marks on rafters, plastic water pipes, cable sheathing and stored items.
A drey in the insulation
A football-sized nest of insulation, leaves, twigs and paper, often near the eaves.
Droppings
Rounded, around 8 to 12mm and scattered, rounder than rat droppings.
Damage at the roofline
Lifted tiles, holes in soffits and fascias, or a squirrel disappearing under the eaves.
What we do on a squirrel control visit
Trap
We set approved spring traps or cage traps on the squirrels' routes in the loft, away from you and your pets, and check them daily. We do not use poison.
Proof
Once the loft is clear we seal the entry points with galvanised steel mesh and tell you where fascia boards need a roofer or branches need cutting back.
Follow up
We return to check the traps and proofing, remove any further squirrels and confirm the loft has stayed quiet. Soiled insulation can be cleared as a separate job.
Before we arrive
- Note the times of day you hear the noise and where in the ceiling it is loudest.
- Clear a route to the loft hatch and move stored items away from the eaves if you can.
- Do not block any holes before we arrive; a sealed-in squirrel chews its way out somewhere else.
- Tell us if anyone has already put poison or traps in the loft.
Keeping squirrels out of the loft
- Have the roofline checked once a year: fascia boards, soffit vents, tile edges and gaps where pipes enter.
- Cut back branches close to the roof and prune climbing plants away from the eaves.
- Fit galvanised mesh behind soffit vents and over gaps at the eaves; plastic and foam are chewed through.
- Use squirrel-proof bird feeders and listen for noise in the nesting seasons of late winter and summer.
What affects the price
- The number of squirrels and whether there are young, which sets the trapping time.
- Access to the loft and roofline, and whether ladders or a tower are needed.
- The number and size of entry points and the materials needed to close them.
- Whether soiled insulation needs removing and the loft cleaning afterwards.
Common questions about squirrel control
Why are squirrels a problem in lofts?
Squirrels can damage insulation, timber, stored items, and wiring, and they can be noisy once established in roof spaces.
Do squirrel issues need a site inspection?
Yes. Access routes, damage, activity level, and legal control options should be assessed before a plan is agreed.
Is it legal to trap a grey squirrel myself?
Trapping is allowed, but what happens next is where people go wrong: a trapped grey squirrel cannot be released, and live traps must be checked every day.
Can I just block the hole?
Not while a squirrel is inside. It will chew out through fascia, tiles or felt, and young in the drey will die and smell for weeks. We trap first, then proof.
How do I know it is squirrels and not rats?
Timing. Squirrels are busiest around dawn and dusk and sound heavy, with thumps and bounding runs; rats are quieter and nocturnal. Squirrel droppings are rounder and scattered, rat droppings spindle shaped and grouped.
Will squirrels damage the wiring?
They can. Squirrels gnaw cable sheathing, exposing live conductors among dry insulation and timber. If you find chewed cables, have an electrician check them once the squirrels have gone.
Need help with squirrel control?
Tell VermiCure what you have noticed and ask about the next step.
