Why Squirrels Target Southwark's Older Roofs
Branch-to-roof access near Dulwich Park
Properties backing onto Dulwich Park and its wooded surrounding streets let squirrels cross from branch to roofline without ever touching the ground, which shifts the weak point from the garden to the fascia and soffit boards themselves. Once a squirrel's opened a soft spot there, it keeps coming back to the same gap rather than looking elsewhere.
Weathered timber on roofs bordering Peckham Rye
The larger period roofs on the streets around Peckham Rye often have timber that's taken decades of weather, and a squirrel will gnaw open an existing soft patch rather than start fresh somewhere solid. What actually gets noticed first is usually chewed insulation or stripped cabling in the loft, not the gap itself.
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
Fixing a Roof for Good Once Squirrels Are Trapped
A soft spot that's been opened once needs a proper repair — anything less and the same weak point just gets found again.
