Rodent Control
Grey Squirrels: Loft Signs, Risks & Squirrel Control
Professional squirrel control across South & West Yorkshire, with local pages for Sheffield and Leeds.
Scratching in the loft? Apex removes grey squirrels lawfully and proofs the roofline.
BPCA-certified · Squirrel trapping from £80 per visit · No call-out fee · 7 days a week
At a Glance
- Service
- Squirrel Control
- Provider
- Apex Pest Control Ltd
- Locations
- Sheffield, Leeds, Rotherham & Barnsley
- Price from
- £80 + VAT
- Response
- Fast response · 7 days a week
- Credentials
- BPCA certified · £5M insured · DBS checked
Squirrel Control: Understanding the Problem
Apex Pest Control Ltd provides professional grey squirrel control across South and West Yorkshire. The grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is an invasive alien species that moves from garden trees into lofts and roof voids, where it gnaws cables, timbers, and insulation. Most call-outs come from Sheffield, Leeds, Rotherham, and Barnsley, and peak each autumn as juveniles disperse.
Grey squirrels are active in daylight, which sets them apart from rats and mice. Unlike the native red squirrel, the grey squirrel has no ear tufts and is larger. Left untreated, they damage property quickly and create a fire risk through gnawed wiring. Apex Pest Control Ltd removes them quickly, humanely, and within the law.
Species Profile
What Are the Signs of a Squirrel Problem?
Identifying the warning signs early limits damage and reduces treatment costs. These are the most common indicators that squirrels are active on your property.
Daytime scratching
Heavy scratching and scurrying in the loft during the day, often at dawn and late afternoon. Grey squirrels are active by day, unlike rats and mice.
Gnawed cables & timbers
Chewed electrical cables, pipe lagging, and roof timbers. Gnawing on wiring in the loft is a recognised fire risk.
Insulation & droppings
Loft insulation dragged into a drey (nest), with droppings and staining building up in the roof void.
Raided bird feeders
Bird feeders emptied of seeds and nuts, plus dug-up bulbs and plants across the garden.
Stripped bark & dreys
Stripped bark on ornamental trees and large dreys built high in the branches, often 5–15m up.
Entry points at the eaves
Gnawed or enlarged holes at the eaves, soffits, and roofline, where squirrels get into the roof.
What Are the Risks of Leaving Squirrels Untreated?
Squirrels infestations do not resolve on their own. The longer a problem is left, the greater the health, legal, and structural risk to your property.
Fire risk from gnawed wiring
Grey squirrels gnaw constantly, and exposed electrical cables in a loft are a genuine fire risk. Early removal protects your home.
Structural & insulation damage
Chewed timbers, pipe lagging, and shredded insulation lead to costly repairs the longer the problem is left.
Rapid breeding and re-entry
Grey squirrels breed twice a year and return from surrounding gardens, so an untreated roof rarely clears on its own.
Legal risk if handled wrongly
It is a criminal offence to release a live-caught grey squirrel. Professional control keeps you on the right side of the law.
How Does Apex Treat a Squirrel Problem?
Our Squirrel Control service follows a proven process — survey, treat, and secure. Every visit is carried out by a BPCA-certified technician using professional-grade products. Grey squirrels return through the same roofline gaps if the entry points aren’t sealed, and by law a trapped grey squirrel cannot be released alive — so Apex finds every access point, handles removal correctly, and proofs the roofline.
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Survey
A BPCA-certified technician inspects your loft, roofline, and garden to find entry points, runs, and the trees squirrels use for access.
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Trapping programme
Approved cage and tunnel traps — including Fenn, WCS Tube, and Kania traps — are set on active runs and baited with whole maize or peanut.
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Daily checks & humane dispatch
Traps are checked every day, as the law requires. Caught grey squirrels are dispatched humanely on site and never released, which is a legal requirement.
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Proofing & ongoing management
Once the roof is clear, entry points are proofed. Because squirrels return from nearby gardens, Apex Pest Control Ltd offers sustained management where needed.
Squirrel trapping is £80 per visit, all plus VAT, with most properties needing three to four visits. No call-out fee — the price quoted is the price you pay.
What Our Customers Say
"Immediate response and the squirrel in the loft was resolved very quickly. Excellent service and a really good price."
"Apex are wonderful — quick to respond, always punctual and great at communicating. Tony is so knowledgeable and trustworthy, always reassuring and positive. We first called Apex almost 40 years ago and wouldn’t use anyone else."
"Excellent service, very professional and friendly. Tom managed to fit me in the day before Christmas Eve and I really appreciated that. Highly recommend."
Rated 4.9/5 from 110+ reviews across our Google (Sheffield & Barnsley) and Trustpilot profiles.
Transparent Pricing
How Much Does Squirrel Control Cost?
Fixed price confirmed on site after inspection — before any work begins. No hidden charges, no call-out fee.
Prices from
£80
+ VAT · price confirmed on site after inspection
- Full property inspection included
- Fixed price confirmed before treatment begins
- Written treatment report provided
- Aftercare and prevention advice included
Commercial pricing is tailored — contact us for a free site survey. View our full domestic price list.
Why Choose Apex Pest Control?
We are a local, independently run pest control company serving South Yorkshire and Leeds. Every technician is BPCA-certified. Every job is carried out to professional industry standards.
BPCA Certified Technicians
All our technicians hold current BPCA certification — the recognised industry standard for professional pest control in the UK.
Available 7 Days a Week
We operate Monday to Friday 08:00–19:00 and Saturday to Sunday 08:00–13:00. Pest problems do not keep office hours.
£5M Public Liability
Fully insured to £5M public liability. You are protected on every visit, in every property type.
Transparent Pricing
Prices quoted before we start. No hidden call-out fees, no surprise charges on domestic treatments.
Domestic & Commercial
We treat homes, rental properties, restaurants, warehouses, care homes, and offices across South Yorkshire and Leeds.
CHAS Accredited
CHAS accreditation confirms our health, safety, and compliance standards meet the requirements for commercial contracts.
Where Do We Provide Squirrel Control?
Apex Pest Control provides professional Squirrel Control across South Yorkshire and Leeds. Choose your nearest area for local availability, pricing, and area-specific advice.
Pest Intelligence
About Grey Squirrels — Behaviour & Facts
Understanding how grey squirrels behave explains why professional, legal control works where deterrents and DIY do not.
Squirrel Control — Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most often. If yours is not listed, call us on 0114 349 1098.
Need Squirrel Control in Your Area?
Speak to a BPCA-certified technician today. We cover Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, and Leeds — 7 days a week.