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Squirrel & Bird Control in Watford

We deal with squirrels in lofts and birds nesting in roofs and guttering across Watford and the surrounding area, and proof the access points so they cannot return. Both cause more structural damage than most people expect, particularly to insulation, roofing timbers and wiring. Our technicians establish how the animals are getting in, remove them lawfully, then seal the roofline properly. Most calls come from heavy movement heard in a loft during the day, or from birds repeatedly entering the same point under the eaves.

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What squirrel and bird work involves

The survey matters more here than with almost any other pest, because the access point determines the whole job. A technician inspects the roofline externally, usually from a ladder, checking soffits, fascias, bargeboards, ridge tiles, verge mortar and any point where roofing materials meet at an angle. Inside the loft, the technician establishes whether animals are currently present and whether a nest or dependent young are involved, since that changes both the legal position and the timing. Grey squirrels are then removed using trapping, as legislation prohibits releasing them alive. Bird work depends on species and timing. Once the space is clear, entry points are sealed with materials that cannot be gnawed or forced.

The damage squirrels cause in a loft

Squirrels are the most destructive pest that commonly enters a domestic loft, and the damage is disproportionate to their size. They gnaw continually, and electrical cabling is a frequent target, which makes them a genuine fire risk rather than a theoretical one. They tear up and compress insulation to build drays, reducing its thermal performance across the affected area. They gnaw roofing timbers, water pipes and stored possessions, and where a water pipe is breached the resulting leak often causes more damage than the animals themselves. An occupied loft is also noisy in a distinctive way, with heavy scampering during daylight hours, which distinguishes squirrels from rodents.

The legal position on birds

Bird work is more legally constrained than any other area of pest control, and it is worth understanding before anyone touches a nest. All wild birds, their nests while in use or being built, and their eggs are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. That means an active nest cannot lawfully be removed, and work has to wait until the nest is no longer in use, which in practice means outside the breeding season. Certain species can be controlled under general licence in specific circumstances, but only where non-lethal alternatives have been tried and only for defined purposes such as public health. In practice this means most bird work is proofing carried out at the right time of year rather than removal on demand.

Why proofing is the whole job

With squirrels and birds, removing the animal without sealing the access achieves almost nothing, because the location is what attracted them and it will attract the next one. Squirrels can climb any masonry wall and jump a considerable distance from overhanging branches, so the roofline itself has to be sound rather than merely hard to reach. Proofing typically means replacing or repairing damaged soffits and fascias, fitting metal mesh over openings, sealing verge and ridge gaps with mortar, and fitting guards to vents and chimney pots. Where overhanging trees give direct access, cutting them back is part of the solution. Done properly, proofing is permanent; done with foam or sealant, it lasts until the next animal decides to test it.

What affects the cost of squirrel and bird work

Cost divides between the removal and the proofing, and the proofing is usually the larger part. Removal cost depends on how many visits are needed, since trapping requires the technician to return and check traps. Proofing cost depends on the extent of the damage and on access. Sealing a single soffit gap on a bungalow is a small job; repairing a chewed fascia run at second-floor level on a three storey property involves access equipment and materials, and costs accordingly. Where insulation has been extensively fouled and compressed, replacing it is a further cost, though one that is often worth claiming on a buildings insurance policy.

Common questions

How do I know if it is squirrels or rats in my loft?

Timing and weight. Squirrels are active in daylight, particularly early morning and late afternoon, and sound noticeably heavier, with distinct scampering and sometimes the noise of items being dragged. Rats and mice are mostly nocturnal and sound lighter and faster. A technician can confirm it in a few minutes from the droppings and gnaw marks.

Can you just take the squirrel away and release it?

No. Grey squirrels are a non-native invasive species and legislation prohibits releasing a trapped one alive. Any pest controller offering to catch and release grey squirrels is either misinformed or acting unlawfully, and it is worth knowing that before you book anyone.

There are birds nesting under my roof. Can you remove the nest?

Not while it is in use. All wild birds, their eggs and their nests in use are protected by law. What we can do is inspect, advise, and plan the proofing work for after the young have fledged, so the same access point is not available next season.

Will my insurance cover the damage?

Many buildings policies cover damage caused by animals entering the property, though cover varies and some exclude gradual damage. Chewed wiring and damaged insulation are the most commonly claimed items. We provide a written report of what we find, which is what an insurer will ask for.

How long does proofing last?

Properly executed proofing, using mesh, mortar and sound replacement timber, should be permanent for the treated points. What it cannot do is prevent an animal exploiting a different weakness elsewhere on an old roofline, which is why the survey covers the whole roof rather than only the point currently in use.

Where we work