How Squirrels Reach Kensington and Chelsea's Rooflines
Mature trees along Holland Park
Branches overhanging the houses that back onto Holland Park put squirrels within easy jumping distance of the roofline, and once one has found a gap at the fascia or a lifted tile, others tend to follow the same route. The park's dense tree cover means there's rarely a shortage of squirrels looking for a dry loft to move into, particularly as the weather turns.
Communal gardens behind Notting Hill's terraces
Notting Hill's private communal gardens keep mature trees and dense planting just behind the terraces, close enough for squirrels to cross from garden to roof without coming near street level at all. Treatment here sometimes needs the garden committee's agreement as well as the resident's, since the access route runs through shared land.
Signs to Look For
- Scratching, running or gnawing sounds in the loft, especially early morning and dusk
- Chewed timber, insulation or cabling in the loft space
- A visible entry point — damaged fascia, soffit or roof tiles
- Squirrels seen repeatedly entering the roofline from a nearby tree or fence
Closing Off a Kensington and Chelsea Roofline
Once squirrels have been removed, the entry point needs repairing or the next one will simply move in behind them.
