Professional Glis Glis Control in
Buckinghamshire and Berkshire

Glis glis (European Edible Dormouse) are the largest the largest species of rodents also known as the edible or fat dormouse. 

Their body is approximately  17 cm in length with a 12cm tail. They weigh from 120 to 150 grams and can double in weight prior to hibernation. Glis glis are often mistaken for squirrels, as it has a generally squirrel-like body, with small ears, short legs,large feet and a bushy tail. Its fur is grey to greyish-brown in colour over its body and the underparts and the inner surface of legs are pale in colour.

The glis glis (Edible Dormouse) are a non native species introduced into the UK in 1902 by the Rothschild family near Tring, Hertfordshire. Some of the glis glis escaped and reproduced, establishing themselves an invasive species.

Glis glis (Edible Dormouse) today can be predominantly found in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Hertfordshire and appear to be expanding their territory with each passing year.

Glis glis (Edible Dormouse) have been reported to live upto to 12 years in the wild.

Glis glis (Edible Dormouse) gain access to lofts, attics and inside ceilings by climbing up any vegetation that extends up to the roof or climbing up overhanging  tree branches  and entering the house through small gaps between roof tiles or soffits. Once in, they can navigate from the loft and into the voids behind the walls, making their way to the ceilings. I often get called out to jobs where the glis glis simply enter through the ground floor kitchen doors and hide behind the kitchen cabinets and appliances.

The following signs are indicative of a glis glis infestation in your home:

• Scurrying, scratching, banging or high pitched squeaking noises coming from the roof, ceiling, loft or attic spaces.
• Irregular shape droppings up to 1 cm long scattered across the the floor, loft or attic spaces.
• Apparent chewing and gnawing damage to electrical cables (a particular danger, as it can cause fires), insulation and water pipes (causing the risk of flooding) in the roof loft.
• Damage to fruit trees in the garden.

Glis glis (Edible Dormouse) can cause a lot of damage to property, by chewing loft insulation, electrical wiring, plastic water pipes and anything else, they can get their teeth into. Many insurance company policies will not cover damages caused by rodents, so it is imperative to deal with them as quickly as possible.

Glis glis have adapted well to the presence of humans and frequently hibernate in insulation materials in loft and attic spaces, behind the wall voids, under kitchen cabinets and shelves. They are regarded as a pest due to the fire risk from gnawed electrical cables and fouling from their faeces. Due to their territorial nature, they prefer to infest familiar properties, year after year.

Instances of house fire have been attributed to electrical fires caused by wires chewed by glis glis. A three-day internet outage across Tring in August 2023 was attributed to the activity of glis glis chewing through the broadband cable.

Glis Glis carry many parasites and viruses that are potentially harmful to humans. Scientific studies have shown the edible dormouse can support the tick-borne agent of Lyme disease more efficiently than mice.

The Glis Glis (Edible Dormouse) is protected under Section 11(2) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. What this means that only pest control companies who are authorised under a specific licence from Natural England (Class licence CL02) can trap and remove them.

There are very strict laws about how Edible Dormouse (glis glis) must be caught and dispatched, everyone involved must work under strict Government license terms. Do not be tempted to control glis glis without recourse to a licence or use a company not working under such licence terms. Otherwise you may commit a criminal offence. 

Glis glis are agile and excellent climbers and may climb up tree branches and jump onto the roof of the house. They can enter the property through any small gaps or openings that may exist around the building brickwork, soffit or roof tiles.

A Risk Assessment is conducted to ensure the safety of residents and pets, followed by an inspection of the suspected glis glis locations.

We provide a glis glis pest control service across Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Hertfordshire. Contact Tony from Assured Pest Control to deal with glis glis in your house, as he holds a current Class licence CL02 to trap edible dormice (glis glis), to preserve public health and safety and prevent serious damage.

Please note: We cannot guarantee glis glis control, because despite our best trapping efforts, it may be difficult to quantify the scale of the infestation, they may retreat and hibernate in inaccessible void spaces. If the suspected entry locations are not accessible or in the roof tiles or structural in nature, we may advise you to engage the services of a professional roofer or builder.

Yes, Glis glis (edible dormice) can and do sometimes wake up during their hibernation, usually to eat stored food or if the temperature’s are milder, than usual.