TL;DR — Squirrel Control Cost At A Glance
- Most people pay £150 – £350 for professional squirrel control outside London, rising 20–30% higher in London and the South East (inc VAT).
- A typical job combines a trapping setup (£50 – £75) with return visits at around £15 each to check and reset traps until the loft is clear.
- Price depends on the number of squirrels, where they are nesting, how many visits are needed, and whether proofing is added afterwards.
- Grey squirrels in the loft gnaw joists, cables and pipes, so squirrel control is as much a property-protection job as a pest job.
- Sealing entry points once the loft is clear is what stops a new squirrel moving straight into the vacant nest.
- A BPCA-qualified technician handles trapping legally and humanely — grey squirrels cannot be released back into the wild under UK law.
Get a fixed price for professional squirrel control — check prices and book online or call to arrange a survey and plan.
How Much Does Squirrel Control Cost In 2026?
Professional squirrel control in the UK costs £150 – £350 on average, rising 20–30% in London and the South East (inc VAT). A typical job is priced as a trapping setup of £50 – £75 plus return visits at roughly £15 each, with the total depending on how many visits it takes to clear the loft. A single squirrel caught quickly sits at the lower end; a family group needing a week or more of trapping lands towards the top.
Grey squirrels are the usual culprit in UK homes, and they are far more damaging than they look. In a loft they gnaw structural timber, chew through electrical cables — a genuine fire risk — and tear up insulation to nest. Because the law treats grey squirrels as an invasive species, they cannot legally be caught and released elsewhere, so control is carried out by qualified technicians using legal, humane methods. Treatment runs over several visits: set the traps, return to check and reset, and confirm the loft is clear before sealing the way back in.
Here is what you can expect to pay for squirrel control across the UK:
| How you book | Rest of UK | London & South East |
|---|---|---|
| Survey and trapping setup | £50 – £75 | £65 – £100 |
| Return / monitoring visit (each) | £15 – £30 | £20 – £40 |
| Full clearance programme | £150 – £350 | £180 – £450 |
| Clearance plus pest proofing | £300 – £600 | £360 – £720 |
Figures include VAT and reflect 2026 market rates. Your exact price depends on the number of squirrels, access and your postcode — get a fixed quote here.
Squirrel Control Cost By Scenario
How many squirrels are present and where they are nesting decides how long trapping takes, and that drives the total.
| Scenario | Typical price (rest of UK) | Typical price (London) |
|---|---|---|
| Single squirrel, quick clearance | £120 – £200 | £150 – £250 |
| Family group in the loft | £200 – £350 | £250 – £450 |
| Recurring / large-scale infestation | £300 – £350+ | £360 – £450+ |
| Clearance with roofline proofing | £300 – £600 | £360 – £720 |
Most of the cost is the technician's time across the setup and return visits. The other big factor is proofing: once the squirrels are gone, sealing the roofline, eaves and any broken tiles they used to get in is what keeps the loft clear. Damage repair — chewed cables, torn insulation or roofing work — is priced separately.
What Affects The Cost Of Squirrel Control?
Several things decide where you land in the ranges above.
1. The Number Of Squirrels
One squirrel is often caught within a couple of visits. A breeding family takes longer, needs more traps and more return trips, and pushes the total up.
2. Where They Are Nesting
Squirrels in an accessible loft are straightforward. Those nesting in a wall cavity, behind soffits or in an awkward roof void take longer to trap and monitor.
3. The Number Of Visits
Because grey squirrels must be dealt with legally on each visit, the total is driven by how many return trips the job needs. A quick clearance costs less than a stubborn infestation requiring a week or more of trapping.
4. Proofing And Entry Points
Clearing squirrels without sealing the roofline usually means another one moves in within weeks. Adding pest proofing raises the upfront cost but protects the loft long term.
5. Access And Height
Roofline entry points often need ladders or a platform to inspect and seal safely, which adds to the proofing element of the job.
6. Your Location
London and the South East run roughly 20–30% higher than the rest of the UK, reflecting higher labour, travel and access costs.
What's Included — And What's Not
Typically included in a squirrel control quote:
- A survey to confirm activity and locate the entry points and nest
- Setting and baiting traps in the loft or affected area
- Return visits to check, reset and clear traps legally and humanely
- Confirmation the area is clear and advice on proofing
Usually charged separately or not included:
- Sealing roofline and other entry points (pest proofing)
- Repairing gnaw damage to cables, pipes and timber
- Replacing torn or soiled loft insulation
- Roofing repairs where tiles or soffits are damaged
Always get the number of visits and what each covers in writing, so the final bill matches the quote.
Can You Do It Yourself?
Squirrel control is one of the harder pest problems to tackle alone. Grey squirrels are strong, wary and legally protected from release, which means humane, lawful handling is a genuine requirement rather than a preference. DIY deterrents — blocking obvious gaps, removing garden food sources, cutting back overhanging branches — can help prevent a problem, but they rarely clear one that is already in the loft.
Trapping is where most people should call a professional. Getting it wrong risks breaking the law, leaving a trapped animal in distress, or missing part of a family group so the problem returns. Once squirrels are in the roof — you will hear heavy scurrying and gnawing, usually early morning and dusk — a BPCA-qualified technician is the safe, legal and reliable route, and they will also identify the entry points that need sealing.
How To Save Money On Squirrel Control
- Act quickly. One squirrel is far cheaper to clear than a breeding family that has settled in.
- Proof after clearance so a new squirrel does not simply take over the vacated nest.
- Book clearance and proofing together rather than paying two separate visits.
- Cut back overhanging branches and remove easy garden food to make the roof less accessible and attractive.
- Clear loft access so the technician can set and check traps efficiently.
- Get 2–3 quotes and compare how visits are charged and whether proofing is included.
How To Hire A Good Pest Controller
Choose a firm that employs BPCA-qualified or RSPH-certified technicians, holds public liability insurance, and works to the legal, humane methods required for grey squirrels. Ask how many visits the job is likely to need, how return visits are charged, and whether proofing is included or extra. For roofline work, confirm how they will access the height safely. Reviews and references are worth checking before you commit.
With Fantastic Services, you get vetted, insured pest controllers, a clear treatment plan and transparent pricing — describe the problem and get a price up front.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does Squirrel Control Cost In The UK?
Professional squirrel control costs £150 – £350 across most of the UK, rising 20–30% in London (inc VAT). Jobs are usually priced as a trapping setup of £50 – £75 plus return visits at around £15 each, with the total depending on how many visits are needed.
Why Does Squirrel Control Take Several Visits?
Grey squirrels are trapped rather than poisoned, and the traps must be checked and reset regularly. The technician returns until the whole group is cleared, which is why the job is priced across a setup and repeat visits.
Can Squirrels Be Caught And Released?
No. Grey squirrels are classed as an invasive species in the UK, and it is illegal to release a trapped grey squirrel back into the wild. Qualified pest controllers deal with them using legal, humane methods on site.
Do Squirrels In The Loft Cause Damage?
Yes, and it can be serious. Squirrels gnaw structural timber, chew electrical cables — a fire risk — and shred insulation to nest. Clearing them promptly and sealing the entry points protects the property.
Does Squirrel Control Include Sealing Entry Points?
Not always. Trapping and pest proofing are often quoted separately. Proofing is strongly recommended, because an unsealed loft simply invites the next squirrel in.
Is Squirrel Control More Expensive In London?
Yes. Expect to pay roughly 20–30% more in London and the South East than in the rest of the UK, reflecting higher labour, travel and access costs.
