COST GUIDES
Cost to remove squirrels from an attic in 2026: UK prices
Updated 07/26
Do you suspect grey squirrels have set up home in your loft? Professional removal is both the practical and the legal route to sorting it.
Find out how much standard visit pest control treatments cost, and how squirrel proofing and insulation replacement can add to the bill.
Fast Facts
Standard removal (2 visits): £90 to £150
Squirrel-proofing (sealing entry points): £150 to £200
Grey squirrels are an invasive species: releasing a trapped one is illegal under UK law
If left unchecked, squirrels can cause extensive (and expensive) damage
What's the average cost to remove squirrels from the attic?
| Cost provided item | Unit | Range - Low | Range - High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost to remove squirrel from attic | Biocide spray | £90 | £150 |
| Cost to remove squirrel from attic | Baits and traps | £90 | £150 |
| Cost to get rid of squirrels in attic | Squirrel proofing | £150 | £200 |
| Last updated: July 2026 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | |||
A standard squirrel removal job costs between £90 to £150. That covers two visits from a professional pest controller: one to set traps and one to remove them.
Common squirrel treatments include:
Spring traps
Live capture traps
Poison
Drey poking
But when it comes to calculating an overall cost, you'll also need to account for squirrel proofing. That's up next.
Squirrel proofing costs
Squirrels return to the same entry points, so without sealing them, you're likely to face the same problem within months.
Most pest controllers will quote for proofing at the second visit once they've assessed entry points. The process normally includes:
Sealing likely entry points
Fixing gaps in floors, walls or ceilings
Blocking access to roof spaces
Costs wise, sealing entry points prices start at around £150 to £200. But a pest control expert can give you an exact quote.
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Biocide treatment costs
Unfortunately, squirrels chewing through wiring and gnawing on roof timbers aren't the only things to worry about.
They can also pollute attics with urine and droppings, which creates a health risk.
Most pest controllers offer an additional biocide spray service to sanitise the space after removal. It's always recommended if squirrels have been nesting for more than a few weeks.
On average, this costs between £90 and £150, depending on where you live.
In serious cases, you may need to ask a local professional to replace the loft insulation if squirrels have damaged the wadding.
Squirrel removal: job estimator tool
To learn more about the costs of squirrel removal and loft insulation repair, try our free interactive cost calculator for an instant estimate.
Job Estimate Calculator
What affects the cost of squirrel removal?
The final cost of squirrel removal depends on several different factors, so quotes can vary quite considerably.
The main factors that influence the price include:
Scale of infestation: A large colony with multiple entry points costs more to resolve than a single squirrel through one gap
Type of treatment: If squirrels have been nesting for months, you may need a biocide treatment
Number of visits needed: Repeat visits increase the overall cost
Location: Properties in London and the South East typically pay more than those in the North
Proofing work: Squirrel proofing is an additional cost
That's why we always recommend contacting a local pest control expert to get an exact quote.
To find a tradesperson and get it sorted, download our free mobile app.
Signs you have squirrels in your attic
Five signs point to squirrels in the loft rather than other pests:
Noises: Scratching or scurrying in the ceiling, most audible at dawn and dusk. Squirrels are diurnal, so you won't hear them at night. Nocturnal activity in the loft is more likely to be rats or mice in lofts
Droppings: Small, barrel-shaped droppings around 8 to 10mm, similar to large rat droppings but with rounded ends
Gnaw marks: Chewed timber, wiring, insulation, or pipework in the loft. Squirrels gnaw constantly to keep their teeth short, which makes them a fire and flood risk if left unchecked
Nesting material: Shredded insulation, leaves, or fabric gathered into a nest in a corner of the loft
Entry points: Gaps in fascia boards, eaves, or soffits, often with grease marks around the edges from repeated use
If you're not sure whether you've got squirrels or rats, the timing of the noise is the quickest tell. See also our guide to signs of pests in your home for a broader overview.
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How to stop squirrels getting into your attic
Prevention works, but you need to remove the infestation first.
Proofing before removal traps squirrels inside, where they'll cause more damage trying to escape. Steps include:
Seal entry points: Use galvanised mesh (minimum 16-gauge) to block gaps in eaves, fascia boards, and roof vents. Squirrels can squeeze through gaps as small as 50mm
Trim overhanging branches: Squirrels use branches as bridges to the roof. Keep trees trimmed at least 2 to 3 metres from the roofline
Remove food sources: Unsecured bird feeders attract squirrels. Use squirrel-proof feeders or move them away from the house
Call a professional first: Proofing before removal is counterproductive. Always remove the infestation first, then proof
A professional pest controller can often assess and seal entry points at the second removal visit. So the work gets done in one process rather than two separate call-outs.
Wondering if you can get rid of squirrels yourself to save on costs? Professional treatment is the safer and more effective route. Squirrels can breed at an alarming rate and can become a major health risk.
Finding a pest controller near you
Use our quick and easy request a quote feature and we will get experienced local pest controllers to contact you directly. To get accurate quotes, be as detailed as you can:
How long you've been hearing activity and at what times of day
Where in the property you suspect the entry points are
Whether you've seen any squirrels directly or found droppings
The size and age of your property
Whether you want proofing quoted alongside removal
Want to speak to someone right away to put your mind at ease and get it sorted?
Contact pest control experts that we've checked and reviewed below:
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Squirrel removal cost checklist
Before you book a pest controller for squirrel removal, use this checklist to make sure you're prepared and know what to expect.
Squirrel removal: Cost checklist
Want to know more about pest prevention methods? From understanding what different noises mean to checking average pricing, we've got it all ticked off.
FAQs
Squirrel removal costs between £75 and £200 for a standard two-visit treatment. Proofing adds £150 to £400, and biocide treatment costs £90 to £150 + VAT. If the infestation has damaged loft insulation, replacement can cost £300 to £1,500 on top.
Yes, it is illegal to release a trapped grey squirrel into the wild or to allow one to escape. That's because grey squirrels are listed under Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Any squirrels caught must be humanely killed by the pest controller. They cannot be relocated.
Squirrels do not reliably leave attics on their own, especially if they have given birth. Grey squirrels breed twice a year (February to April and June to July), so if you hear activity in spring or early summer, there may be a litter present. A pest controller can assess whether removal is safe at that point.
Yes, squirrels tend to leave the attic when it starts to feel too warm. Because loft spaces get warm very fast, squirrels won’t stick around during the warmer parts of the day, especially in the summer months. Usually, you’ll hear squirrels scurrying around in your loft in the morning or early evening.
Squirrels won't always leave a loft space on their own, particularly if they have given birth to a litter. If that's the case, you'll regularly hear one parent leaving and returning to bring food to the young. The best way to deal with an infestation is to call a pest control service, who can remove the squirrels safely and advise on proofing to stop them coming back.
Squirrels will stay in an attic at night if they have made a nest. But you probably won't hear them at night. Squirrels are diurnal: they sleep during dark hours, just as we do. Activity at night in a loft is more likely to be rats or mice. You'll hear squirrels most at sunrise and sunset when they're foraging.
Squirrels can stay in an attic indefinitely if they have found a reliable food source and a safe nesting spot. Without active removal and proofing, an infestation will grow. Grey squirrels breed twice a year, so a pair can become a colony within a single season.
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