Getting rid of squirrels yourself

Start with proofing

Proofing is the lasting fix, and it is the part you can do yourself if you can reach the spot safely from the ground or a stable ladder. Squirrels use gaps as small as 5 cm. Seal them with mesh. One guide suggests 16-gauge galvanised mesh. Trim overhanging branches so squirrels cannot jump onto the roof.

Do not seal a hole until you are certain the loft is empty. Sealing animals in is cruel and they will damage the house trying to get out.

Check before you act

First, identify the animal. A noise in the loft at night could be a rat, a dormouse or a bat, and bats are legally protected. If in doubt, stop. See how to identify squirrels.

Second, check for young. Greys breed in February to March and June to July, and the kits depend on the mother for 7 to 10 weeks. Trapping the mother in a breeding period can leave kits stuck in the loft. Wait or ask a professional.

Trapping and the law

Householders can use legal live-catch cage traps. Spring traps must be approved and used as approved under the Pests Act 1954 section 8. Home-made traps, including "walk the plank" designs, are not a route to recommend.

The key rule is that releasing a trapped grey squirrel is a criminal offence. The Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019 Article 3(2) bars releasing one, or allowing it to escape, into the wild. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 section 14(1) bars releasing species on its Schedule 9. Taking it to a park or a wood is therefore an offence.

The lawful options are humane killing or keeping the animal captive under licence. Most householders are not equipped for either, which is why many hand trapping to a firm.

What not to do

• Do not release a trapped grey, anywhere.
• Do not use poison. Do not use loose poison outdoors.
• Do not use glue traps.
• Do not trap near where red squirrels live without advice.
• Do not block a hole while an animal is inside.

Red squirrels are protected. Bats are protected. If you are unsure, stop.

Squirrels in the garden

A visitor on the lawn is not an infestation. To discourage visits, use squirrel-resistant feeders and tidy spilt food. Trim branches that give access to the roof. If squirrels enter the house, or the damage is serious, call a professional.

When to call a professional

Call a firm if squirrels are in the loft, if you hear young, if wires are gnawed, or if you cannot trap lawfully. A professional surveys, traps, clears the loft and proofs the roof. See how squirrel removal works and what it costs.