Squirrels get in through small weak points and come back if they are left open. These steps reduce the chance of them settling in your roof.
Walk around the house with binoculars and look at the eaves, fascias, soffits, ridge and the points where roofs meet walls. Squirrels need only a small gap, and often widen it with their teeth. Slipped tiles, rotten timber, gaps around pipes and open vents are the typical entry points.
Squirrels chew soft materials, so fill holes with metal mesh, flashing or strong cladding fixed securely, rather than foam or thin plastic. Replace rotten fascia boards promptly. Fit proper vent covers that allow air flow but not access. If you are unsure about work at height, ask a professional.
Squirrels reach roofs by jumping from trees, running along walls and fences, and climbing cables or drainpipes. Trim branches so that they sit well away from the roof, where it is safe and permitted to do so. If a tree has a protection order or sits in a conservation area, check the rules first.
Bird feeders and bins draw squirrels into the garden, and a regular visitor often starts to look for a nesting spot. Choose feeders designed to be squirrel resistant, keep spilled seed cleared up, and store food in sealed containers.
A tidy garden gives squirrels fewer reasons to linger, and fewer reasons to look up at your roof. Store bulbs and bird seed in sealed containers, use bins with secure lids and clear fallen fruit and nuts. Squirrels also bury food, so you may find holes in lawns and pots; filling them in and netting vulnerable areas is more practical than chasing the squirrels.
If you have a loft conversion or an extension, make sure the junction between old and new roofs is properly sealed, since these joins can be weak spots. New roof work is also a good moment to ask the builder to fit mesh at vulnerable points.
Neighbouring roofs matter. If squirrels are active on a nearby property, step up your checks, and look again after windy weather, because they move across gardens and rooflines readily.
Look over the roof after storms and at the change of seasons, and listen in the loft for unusual noises. Squirrels often scout a place before moving in, so repairing a weak point early is far better than removing a family later. Businesses with flat roofs and plant areas should include roof checks in regular inspections.
If squirrels have been in your roof before, call 0113 347 0014 or message us on WhatsApp for a free quote on proofing, and we can check the weak points with you.
Most are unreliable. Ultrasonic devices and strong smells may deter squirrels briefly, but they get used to them. Physical proofing of entry points is the dependable way to keep them out.
Not necessarily. Trimming branches back from the roof is usually enough to remove the jumping route. Check whether a tree has legal protection before cutting, and use a qualified tree surgeon for large work.
Yes. Squirrels can squeeze through surprisingly small openings and then enlarge them by chewing. Any gap at the eaves or around a pipe that you can fit a fist into should be treated as a potential way in.
Tell us what you have seen and where, and we will come back to you. There are no call-out charges and surveys are free for homes and businesses.
