Grey squirrels produce two litters a year in the UK — one in late winter and one in mid-summer. The summer litter is born in June or July, and by August the kits are mobile, noisy and chewing. That's when most homeowners realise the scratching above the bedroom ceiling isn't birds.
How they get in
- Gaps where the soffit meets the fascia — the single most common entry point
- Damaged or lifted roof tiles, especially at valleys and ridges
- Gable-end vents with broken mesh
- Overhanging branches giving easy roof access from a neighbour's tree
Why a one-off block-up makes things worse
Block the hole while a mother and kits are inside and she'll chew through ceiling plasterboard, cabling or lead flashing to escape. We always trap or remove the resident animals first, then proof the entry points to a guaranteed standard. Under UK law, grey squirrels caught alive must not be released.
What to do today
Note where you hear movement and at what time of day (dawn and dusk for squirrels, all night for rats). Don't put down rodent bait — it won't touch a squirrel and is dangerous around a kit-aged litter. Get a survey booked; the longer they're in, the more cabling and insulation damage you'll be repairing.