Do It Yourself Pest Control - How to get rid of Grey Squirrels in your London property

How do I know I have A Squirrel Infestation?

The most common issue about grey squirrels is when they take residence in your loft. They are very noisy and are way more destructive than other rodents such as rats and mice. Grey squirrels can also be a pest in your garden and can damage the plants, bulbs, trees and can also eat bird eggs and young birds. Luckily, both types of issues can be treated.
When squirrels enter your loft space, they are able to cause structural damage by tearing up loft insulation for making their nest. Squirrels can also chew pipes, and electric wires which can cause fire or electrical problems.

Uncovered water storage can be easily contaminated by their waste. For these reasons, it is highly important to keep squirrels out of your London home. Having a squirrel in your garden can also be a serious problem. As a matter of fact, Grey Squirrels are classed as vermin and it's illegal to release a trapped Grey Squirrel.
Archers Pest Control get thousands of call-outs every year, and it is in part due to the damage they are causing and the frustrating noises squirrels make at night. Whether you are considering doing some DIY squirrel pest control, or you are looking to get a professional pest controller to sort out the problem, this guide is for you.

The Danger

Even though the grey squirrel might look sweet and innocent fluffy creature - the pest management industry knows that there are times when squirrel control is necessary. The grey squirrels are recognised as being in the top 100 worst invasive pests in the world. As we previously mentioned because grey squirrels are invasive it is against the law to re-release a grey squirrel. This means that any person who catches a grey squirrel alive is legally obligated to humanely dispatch it. Unfortunately, grey squirrels are also responsible for the decline in native red squirrel numbers.

Signs Of Grey Squirrel Infestation

The London exterminators from Archers Pest Control are sharing the most common signs of squirrel infestation to look for if you consider your property is visited by these furry pests.

Scratching and rustling sound from your loft or between walls.
Spotting droppings in the loft – Both squirrel and rat droppings are dark brown or black and which can cause confusion when trying to identify what kind of pest is infesting your loft. Luckily, there is a slight difference between the droppings. Squirrel droppings are softer and with more circular sides.
The smell of urine in the loft area might indicate the grey squirrel infestation in your London property.
Spotting lots of other squirrels running around your London property, particularly near your roof or on high fences.
Nuts and fruits being stolen from bird feeders, or the feeders being knocked over
Holes in vents or damage to your insulation.

Red squirrels are protected by the law since 1981

Do-It-Yourself Grey Squirrel Control

Do-It-Yourself squirrel control and removal from your London property are possible if you simply follow the steps recommended by our squirrel control experts.

Step 1 - Locating the entry points

Roof vents, gable vents, soffit vent and construction gaps occurring between the roof sheathing and fascia board are the most common grey squirrel entry points.
Construction gaps can also be troublesome because they allow squirrels to get into your gutter then simply push up on the bottom of the roof shingle and slip into your attic wherever these gaps exist.
The proper way to see if your home has access to squirrels is to enter your attic and walk around the perimeter of the space looking for any holes or bright lights showing into the attic.
Don't forget to take a flashlight with you to see if you can actually see the back of the roof shingles below the bottom of the roof sheeting. If so, you will need to cover all these areas with a galvanized steel flashing.

Keep in mind the attic can be dangerous. Slipping off trusses and falling through the sheetrock ceiling can cause you serious traumas, broken bones or even can be fatal. If you are unsure you can do this, it is better to call the pest control experts from Archers Pest Control.

Step 2 - Check for nest and baby squirrels
Female squirrels have babies twice a year. It depends where you live, the first litter will be born between February and May and the second one in the fall between August and October.

When searching for grey squirrel nests, look for areas where the insulation is piled up.
Nest are usually located near the main entry point, but sometimes it can be built anywhere in the attic.
When approaching the squirrel nest with newborn squirrels, you might be able to hear soft “peeps” and see movement. The experts suggest not disturb or touch them at this time since the mother may abandon them to die and this can cause even more problems.

Step 3 - Sealing the entry points Except for the Main Hole

Locate the main entry point; do not seal this hole
You can seal all other gaps and entry points with wire mesh mixed with expanding foam or galvanized steel. Do not use wood or plastic materials as squirrels can easily chew them.
Make sure all construction gaps between the roof and fascia are sealed properly.

Step 4 - Treat the attic

Soak a cloth in ammonia and place it near the squirrel's nesting spot. The strong smell of ammonia will irritate these pesky rodents. This may get them to leave your loft on their own.
Turn on bright lights in your loft - You can install temporary lighting if there’s no light in the loft. The squirrels will feel uncomfortable and exposed under the lights, so they’ll likely leave your attic.

Step 5 - Trapping and Removing Grey Squirrels

Place the squirrel trap near the main entry point. Keep in mind that they aren’t as likely to enter a trap that’s placed in the middle of the floor, so it's recommended for the trap to be placed in a corner or near the wall. Make sure the trap is specifically designed for squirrels, as the wrong type of trap may cause unintended harm to the squirrel or allow it to escape.
Bait the trap with peanut butter. Put the bait inside the trap, far enough away from the sides that the squirrel can’t reach in and pull out the bait and then set the squirrel trap. The squirrel should enter the trap to get the bait, triggering the door. Keep the traps until all squirrels are gone. Do not forget after catching the squirrel you have to humanely dispatch it.

Step 6 - Seal the Main Entry Point

After twenty-four hours have passed, check the loft and verify no squirrels are visible in the attic, and then secure the last hole or gap with wire mesh and expanding foam.

In the first instance, squirrel proofing such as the guidance in the previous section should be put into place. If this is unsuccessful, calling the professional London exterminators from Archers Pest Control should be your next action.