Professional Glis Glis Control in
Buckinghamshire and Berkshire

Despite looking strikingly like a small squirrel—complete with a lush, bushy tail, short legs, and large feet—the Glis glis (European Edible Dormouse) is actually the largest species in the dormouse family.

Key Physical Characteristics

• Appearance: A sleek grey-brown coat with a distinctive pale, creamy underside.

• Weight: Typically ranges between 120g and 150g.

• Pre-Hibernation Bulking: To survive their famously long winter sleep, Glis glis can double their body weight just before hibernating.

Did You Know? Although often mistaken for a squirrel due to its thick tail, the Glis glis is a strictly nocturnal rodent renowned for its incredible hibernation habits.

Origins & UK Introduction

Native Habitat: Continental Europe, ranging from Spain and France to Russia.
UK Introduction: Introduced in 1902 by Lionel Walter Rothschild, who brought them to his estate near Tring, Hertfordshire.
Establishment: Following an accidental escape from captivity, a wild breeding population quickly established itself.
Invasive Status & Regional Spread

Is it invasive? Yes. The Edible Dormouse is classified as a non-native invasive species in the UK.
Core Territory: Heavily concentrated in the Home Counties, particularly across Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, and Hertfordshire.
Expanding Range: Their territorial footprint continues to grow annually, posing ongoing risks to local biodiversity and property.

Why They Are Cause for Concern

Property Damage: Frequently nest in roof spaces, gnawing through electric cables, pipework, and insulation.

Ecological Impact: Compete with native wildlife for food and territory, damaging forestry by stripping tree bark.
Legal Protection: Despite being invasive, they are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Schedule 9), meaning removal requires specialised, licensed pest control.

In the wild, the edible dormouse (Glis glis) has an remarkably long lifespan for a small rodent, living up to 12 years.

Glis glis (edible dormice) are invasive, protected pests known for causing significant damage to homes. Because they are nocturnal, you are far more likely to notice the signs of their presence before actually spotting one.

Common Signs of a Glis Glis Infestation

Loud Screeching and Scuffling: Unlike mice, Glis glis are vocal. You will hear distinct high-pitched chirping, squeaking, or screeching in your loft, along with loud, heavy thumping and scratching.
Extensive Chewed Wiring and Cables: They possess incredibly strong teeth and a constant need to gnaw. Stripped electrical wiring, chewed pipework, and damaged plastic insulation are major warning signs (and severe fire hazards.
Gnawed Structural Timber & Insulation: Look for large bite marks on wooden roof trusses, joists, and floorboards, as well as shredded loft insulation used for nesting material.
Foul Odors and Droppings: Glis glis leave behind dark, cylindrical droppings (similar to dark rat droppings but slightly larger) and a strong, pungent ammonia smell from concentrated urine patches.
Fruit and Food Theft: If you have fruit trees nearby or leave food out, you may notice large quantities missing or half-eaten fruit left behind in hidden attic corners.

Legal Notice: Glis glis are a protected species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is illegal to trap, kill, or remove them yourself without a specialist license from Natural England. If you suspect an infestation, contact a licensed pest control professional immediately.

Don’t let their small size fool you. The edible dormouse (Glis glis) poses a massive threat to both your home’s structural integrity and your family’s safety.

These nocturnal pests readily adapt to human environments, preferring to nest and hibernate in loft insulation, wall cavities, and under cabinetry. Because Glis glis are highly territorial, they will return to the same property year after year if left unchecked.

Why You Need Immediate Pest Control
If you suspect an infestation, waiting is not an option. Here is why immediate action is critical:

1. Severe Fire & Structural Risks
Glis glis have strong, ever-growing teeth and will chew through almost anything to build their nests:

Electrical Wiring: Gnawed cables are a primary cause of hidden house fires and major infrastructure damage (such as the famous 3-day broadband outage in Tring).
Plumbing & Walls: They readily destroy plastic pipework, leading to costly water leaks and structural decay.
Loft Insulation: Nesting dormice shred insulation, drastically reducing your home’s energy efficiency.
2. Serious Health Hazards
Edible dormice carry harmful parasites and viruses. In fact, research shows Glis glis are more efficient hosts for tick-borne Lyme disease bacteria than standard mice, putting your family and pets at risk.

3. Out-of-Pocket Repair Costs
Warning: Most standard home insurance policies explicitly exclude damage caused by rodents and invasive species. Delaying action means paying for costly structural and electrical repairs entirely out of pocket.
Take Action Before the Damage Spreads
Protect your property by contacting our certified pest control specialists today for a professional inspection and safe, legal removal.

Understanding Legal Protection & Compliance

Yes. The Glis glis (Edible Dormouse) is protected under Section 11(2) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Because of this strict legal protection, it is illegal to trap, remove, or control Edible Dormice without specialized authorization. Attempting DIY pest control or hiring an unlicensed operator can result in heavy fines and legal penalties.

Fully Licensed & Compliant Pest Control
You can rest easy knowing your property is in expert hands:

Natural England Certified: Tony at Assured Pest Control holds a current Natural England Class Licence (CL02).
100% Lawful Management: Every removal method we use strictly adheres to UK wildlife legislation.
Safe & Humane: We resolve your Glis glis problem efficiently while keeping you completely compliant with the law.
Need professional help with a Glis glis infestation?

Don’t risk legal trouble. Contact Assured Pest Control today for safe, licensed removal. 

Expert & Fully Licensed Glis glis Removal Across Bucks, Berks, & Herts
Hearing scratching noises in your loft at night? Noticed chewed wiring or insulation around your roofline? You may be dealing with an Edible Dormouse (Glis glis) infestation.

While these non-native rodents may look cute, they are capable of causing extensive structural damage and electrical fire hazards in homes.

Important Legal Warning: Glis glis are protected under strict UK law (the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981). Attempting to catch or remove them yourself—or hiring an unlicensed contractor—is a criminal offence. Always verify that your pest control specialist holds a valid licence.

How Glis glis Invade Your Property
Edible dormice are exceptional climbers. They use overhanging tree branches, drainpipes, and exterior walls to reach your roofline. They can squeeze through remarkably small gaps, entering through:

Faulty or displaced roof tiles
Openings in soffits and fascia boards
Gaps in exterior brickwork and eaves
Unprotected loft vents and structural voids
Once established inside your loft or wall cavities, they breed quickly, gnaw relentlessly on timbers and cables, and destroy insulation.

Our Step-by-Step Control Process:

At Assured Pest Control, we prioritise safety, strict legal compliance and results.

Safety Risk Assessment – We carry out a full site evaluation to ensure complete safety for your family and pets.

Thorough Inspection – We try to identify entry points, brickwork, roof tiles and the extent of the activity.

Licensed Trapping – Using official protocols, we carry out humane trapping operations in line with government regulations.

Why Choose Assured Pest Control?

Fully Licensed Specialist: Tony at Assured Pest Control holds a current Class Licence (CL02), legally authorizing him to trap and manage Edible Dormice safely and legally. Local Regional Coverage: Prompt, reliable service across Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, and Hertfordshire.

Safety-First Approach: Clear hazard assessments designed to protect your household and domestic pets throughout the treatment.
Transparent Advice: Honest, realistic guidance on handling complex infestations.
Important Service Information
Behavior: Glis glis are notoriously complex to control. Because they may move deeper within inaccessible building voids, exact numbers can be difficult to quantify; therefore, fixed guarantees cannot be provided for this species.

Structural Proofing: If entry points are situated high on rooflines, underneath tiles, or require major structural modifications, we will recommend that you engage a qualified roofer or builder to seal the building once trapping is complete, because it is outside the scope and resources of our pest control services.

Suspect a Glis glis Infestation in Your Loft?
Don’t risk illegal pest control methods or further expensive damage to your home. Speak directly with a licensed expert.

While edible dormice are famous for sleeping up to seven months a year, their winter slumber isn’t always continuous. Glis glis can and do periodically wake up during hibernation.

Why Do They Wake Up?

• Milder Temperatures: A sudden rise in winter temperatures can stimulate their metabolism, signaling to their bodies that it is safe to temporarily wake.

• Feeding: Unlike animals that rely solely on body fat, some dormice access small cached food stores to replenish energy before drifting back to sleep.

• Disturbances: Physical disruptions to their nesting site or extreme environmental shifts can force an early awakening.

During these brief periods of activity, their metabolic rate and body temperature temporarily return to normal levels before they re-enter torpor to survive the remainder of the cold season.