Squirrel Removal in York

Avoid entering the loft and trying to approach the animal yourself. A squirrel may become defensive if it feels trapped or threatened, particularly if it has built a nest or has young nearby.

Listen for when the noise occurs and make a note of the area it appears to come from. Squirrels are usually active during daylight hours, while rats and mice are more commonly heard at night. However, activity times alone should not be treated as definite identification.

Do not immediately block visible holes in the roof. Sealing an entry point while a squirrel is still inside could trap it in the property, leading to further damage as it attempts to escape.

Contact Pest Assured so the activity can be assessed and the correct next steps can be explained.

Yes. Grey squirrels have strong teeth and need to gnaw regularly. Once inside a loft or roof space, they may chew timber, insulation, plastic pipework, stored belongings and electrical cables.

Damage to electrical wiring is one of the more serious concerns because exposed or damaged cables may increase the risk of an electrical fault or fire. Squirrels can also tear up loft insulation to create nesting material, reducing its effectiveness and leaving areas of the roof space disturbed.

They may enlarge an existing gap around a fascia board, soffit or roof edge to make access easier. Acting promptly can help limit the damage and reduce the chance of squirrels becoming established inside the building.

Squirrel control should not be attempted without understanding the legal requirements and the risks involved.

Grey squirrels are not treated in the same way as many other animals under UK wildlife legislation. Once a grey squirrel has been caught, it cannot legally be released back into the wild. This means that live capture and release elsewhere is not a lawful solution.

There is also a risk of injury when working in a loft, handling traps or approaching an animal that may feel threatened. Blocking entry points too early can trap squirrels inside or separate a mother from her young.

Pest Assured uses appropriate control methods based on the property, the location of the activity and the circumstances found during the inspection.

They may leave the property temporarily to search for food, but this does not mean the problem has gone away.

If a loft provides warmth, shelter and a safe place to nest, squirrels are likely to continue using it. They may follow the same route in and out several times each day and return to the roof space after feeding.

Activity can also become more noticeable during colder weather or when a female is looking for somewhere to raise young. Waiting for squirrels to leave permanently can allow more time for damage to wiring, insulation and timber.

The safest approach is to have the property assessed before attempting repairs or sealing access points.

Grey squirrels can enter through surprisingly small gaps in a roof. They are strong climbers and can reach rooflines using trees, fences, sheds, drainpipes and adjoining buildings.

Typical entry points include:

• Damaged soffits or fascia boards
• Gaps beneath roof tiles
• Openings around roof vents
• Holes near guttering
• Damaged eaves
• Gaps created by previous building work
• Weak or rotten timber at the roof edge

Squirrels may also enlarge an existing opening by gnawing the surrounding material. Once the animals have been dealt with, suitable proofing and repairs can help reduce the risk of further access.

Any proofing work should only be completed once it has been confirmed that no squirrels remain inside.

The first step is to inspect the property and assess where the squirrels are active. This may include checking the loft, roof space, external roofline and likely entry points.

The appropriate control method is then selected based on what is found. The exact process can vary depending on the building, the number of squirrels present, access to the loft and whether nesting activity is suspected.

You will be told what the treatment involves, what to expect afterwards and whether any return checks may be required. Once the activity has been dealt with, Pest Assured can advise on repairs or proofing measures that may help prevent squirrels getting back inside.

The time required depends on the extent of the activity, the structure of the property and how easily the affected areas can be accessed.

Some problems can be dealt with relatively quickly, while others may require further checks or more than one visit. A squirrel that has built a nest inside an awkward roof void may require a different approach from one entering an easily accessible loft.

It is better to assess each property individually rather than promise that every problem will be resolved within a fixed period. Pest Assured will explain the likely timescale once the property and activity have been inspected.

Yes. Pest Assured provides squirrel control for homes, shops, offices, workshops, storage buildings and other commercial premises around York and the surrounding area.

Squirrels can enter commercial buildings through roof gaps, damaged cladding, vents and adjoining structures. They may damage insulation, electrical wiring, stored goods and parts of the building fabric.

Appointments can be arranged with disruption kept to a minimum, depending on access and the type of premises involved.

Once the immediate problem has been dealt with, proofing work can reduce the risk of squirrels returning.

This may involve repairing damaged soffits, fascia boards, roof tiles, vents or other gaps used to enter the building. Nearby branches may also provide easy access to the roof and may need attention from a suitable tree contractor.

Proofing should not begin until it has been confirmed that the squirrels are no longer inside. Sealing the property too early can trap an animal in the loft, potentially causing more damage.

No building can be made completely immune to wildlife, but suitable repairs and regular roof maintenance can make access considerably more difficult.

The method used will depend on the location of the activity and the layout of the property. Any safety precautions will be explained before work begins.

Children and pets should be kept away from loft hatches, equipment and treatment areas while the work is being carried out. You will also be told whether any parts of the property need to remain undisturbed afterwards.

Pest Assured assesses each situation individually and uses methods that comply with current UK requirements.

Pest Assured is based near Huby and provides squirrel removal across York and surrounding communities, including Easingwold, Stillington, Strensall, Haxby, Sheriff Hutton, Linton-on-Ouse, Tollerton and villages between York and Thirsk.

For properties outside these areas, call 07375 775 999 to check availability.