Squirrels
From the Heath to Your Roof
Squirrels move through trees, along fences and across roofs. Gardens backing towards the Heath Extension or Golders Hill Park, and streets lined with large trees, give them a route to the houses. Edwardian roofs are tall, with gables, dormers and deep eaves, and a squirrel can find a loose tile, a gap at the fascia or a hole where a gable meets the main roof. How squirrels get into a roof explains the usual entry points.
Signs of Squirrels in the Loft
- Scampering or thumping in the loft early in the morning and late afternoon
- Squirrels going in and out at the same point on the roof
- Chewed wood or gaps at the fascia or under tiles
- Shredded insulation, paper or cardboard in the loft
- Droppings in the loft or on top-floor ceilings
The signs of squirrels in the loft covers these. If the noise is at night, it could be rats instead; rat control in Golders Green explains that.
How the Service Works
The £280 trapping service follows a set order. First it is confirmed that squirrels are the animals in the roof, and the entry point is found. Traps are set in the loft and checked. Once squirrels stop being caught and the loft is quiet, the entry point can be closed. Closing it too early can trap a squirrel inside, which will chew its way out, sometimes into a room.
By law, a trapped grey squirrel must not be released. Grey squirrels are an invasive species, and releasing one into the wild is an offence. The law on releasing a grey squirrel sets this out.
Converted Houses and Shared Lofts
Many Edwardian houses in Golders Green are divided into flats, and the loft usually sits above the top-floor flat. Access is often through a hatch in that flat. If you live on the top floor and hear squirrels, tell the freeholder or managing agent, because the roof is usually part of the building, not your flat. The top-floor resident may need to let a technician through for access. Squirrels can also move between the lofts of semi-detached houses.
Booking a Squirrel Visit
When you book squirrel control, tell us whether you own the whole house or live in a flat, where the loft hatch is and whether it has a ladder, and where you have seen squirrels on the roof. Mention any trees close to the house and whether the garden backs towards the Heath Extension or the park. Clear a path to the hatch and move stored boxes back from it so the loft can be reached safely. If the hatch is in someone else's flat, arrange access with them before the visit. Keep pets out of the loft and away from the traps while the service is under way, and tell us if the noise stops, changes or moves to another part of the roof.
Timing Across the Year
Squirrels can have young in spring and again in late summer. If a female is nesting in the loft, it is important that the loft is empty before the entry point is closed. How long squirrel control takes explains why timing varies.
After the Squirrels Have Gone
Once the loft is clear, a roofer can repair loose tiles or damaged fascia, and branches that touch the roof can be cut back. Some trees are protected, so check with the council before cutting a large one. Stopping squirrels getting back in covers this. For squirrel work across the rest of the borough, see Squirrel Control Barnet. Wasps can also nest in the same roof gaps: see wasp nest removal in Golders Green.
