How Squirrels Reach Kingston's Rooflines
Riverside trees along the Thames towpath
The mature trees along the Thames towpath put squirrels within easy reach of the roofs of the flats and houses closest to the river, and a gap at the fascia or a lifted tile is all it takes for one to move from branch to loft. Once inside, they tend to use the same route again the following year unless it's repaired.
Mature gardens in Surbiton and New Malden
Surbiton and New Malden's older gardens have had decades to grow substantial trees, and squirrels use those in exactly the same way as the riverside ones — as a bridge onto a nearby roof. Houses with deep eaves and older fascia boards, common across both areas, tend to be the ones where a gap eventually gives way.
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 Kingston Roofline
Once squirrels have been removed from a loft, repairing the entry point stops the next one from finding the same way in.
