Identifying squirrels

Grey or red

The grey squirrel is the animal in most British lofts and gardens. It weighs 400 to 650 g, with grey fur and rounded ears. The red squirrel is smaller, at 250 to 340 g, with ear tufts, and is protected.

This matters because the law treats them differently. A grey cannot be released, and red squirrels are protected. If you think you have reds, do not set a trap. Take a photograph and ask for advice.

Signs of squirrels in the loft

The clearest signs are:

• Noise by day. Squirrels are active in daylight, while rats are noisy at night.
• Dreys. Large, untidy nests, often built from torn loft insulation.
• Droppings. Cylindrical, dark and about 8 to 12 mm long.
• Gnawing. Chewed wood and wires with light, fresh marks.
• Entry holes. They can be as small as 5 cm, usually at the roofline, soffits or fascias.

Take a note of when you hear the noise, and how often. Daytime scampering, a few animals, and fresh gnawing near the eaves all point to squirrels. Photograph droppings next to a coin or ruler so a professional can judge the size.

Squirrels or rats

Rats and squirrels both live in lofts, and the fix differs.

• Squirrels are noisy by day; rats at night.
• Squirrel droppings are about 8 to 12 mm and cylindrical. Rat droppings are 9 to 14 mm and sausage-shaped.
• Squirrels build a drey, a large untidy nest.

Droppings overlap in size, so use the noise pattern and the nest as well. If you think you have rats, see our guide to identifying rats.

Could it be a bat or another animal

A noise in the loft at night could be a rat, a dormouse or a bat. Bats are legally protected. If you think you have bats, stop and take advice before any work. A firm that checks for bats and nesting kits first is a good sign.

When the species is not clear, identify before trapping. The cost of a mistake is high, both legally and for the animals.

A firm that checks for bats and nesting kits before any trapping is the one to choose. Ask them how they will do it.

When they are most active

Greys breed twice a year, in February to March and June to July, and the young depend on the mother for 7 to 10 weeks. Lofts are most attractive from autumn, when animals seek shelter. If kits are in the loft, trapping the mother can leave them stranded, so check first.

Once you are sure it is a grey, see how squirrel removal works, what it costs and what you can do yourself.