- Size
- Body around 25 cm, plus a bushy tail
- Droppings
- 7–10 mm, barrel shaped
- Active
- Daytime, especially early morning
- Peak season
- Late autumn to spring
They're active in daylight, so loud thumping and running overhead in the early morning or late afternoon is the classic sign. They're also one of the pests where the law shapes what you can do.
Signs of grey squirrels
- Thumps, bounding and running in the loft during the day
- Rolling sounds, like nuts or small objects moving
- A chewed hole at the eaves, fascia or soffit
- Shredded insulation pulled into a nest
- Barrel-shaped droppings, lighter in colour than rat droppings
- Chewed cables or timbers
How to be sure
Grey squirrels are bigger than rats, with a bushy tail and grey fur that can look brown in summer. In parts of Scotland, northern England and some islands you may see red squirrels instead. Red squirrels are protected and must be left alone.
What you can do yourself
- Watch the outside of the house in the morning to find the entry point. It's usually high up at the eaves or where a roofline meets a wall.
- Cut back branches within a couple of metres of the roof, which squirrels use as a launch pad.
- Don't block the hole while a squirrel might still be inside. It will chew a new way out, often through something more expensive.
- Store bird food in metal bins and use squirrel-resistant feeders.
Call a professional if
- A squirrel is in the loft, especially if it's been there more than a few days
- You think there's a nest with young (typically late winter and early summer)
- There's chewing on cables or timbers
- The entry point is at a height that needs ladders or access equipment
The law: Grey squirrels are an invasive non-native species. If one is caught alive, it is illegal to release it or let it go elsewhere, so live traps aren't a DIY option. Red squirrels are protected by law and must not be trapped or disturbed.
Safety: Squirrels can bite if cornered. Never try to catch or handle one, and don't go into the loft to chase it out.
Keeping them out
- Repair rotten fascias and soffits promptly
- Fit mesh over gaps at the eaves, once you're sure nothing is inside
- Keep trees and climbing plants trimmed back from the roof
- Check the loft every few months in winter
Kit that helps
- Squirrel-resistant bird feeder
- Metal storage bin for bird food
- Galvanised mesh for proofing (after they've gone)
Product types only. We'll only ever point you to things we'd use ourselves.
Questions people ask
Can I trap a squirrel and release it in the park?
No. Releasing a grey squirrel is illegal because it's an invasive species. This is why most people use a professional who can remove them humanely and proof the roof.
Will squirrels leave on their own?
Sometimes, but they usually return to a good nest site. Without proofing the entry point once they're out, the problem tends to recur each winter.
Do squirrels really chew electrical cables?
Yes. Rodents' teeth grow constantly and they gnaw to keep them worn. Chewed cables in a loft are a genuine fire risk, which is why this is worth acting on quickly.
Do deterrent sprays or ultrasonic devices work?
Not reliably. Squirrels are persistent and adapt quickly. Proofing the entry point is what works.