Are you hearing strange new noises in your attic and wonder what’s causing them? Depending on the type of noise and the time of day it occurs, it could be any number of wildlife pests. We’ll help you identify what’s in your attic and how it may have gotten in.
The most common attic pests are racoons, squirrels, bats, birds and mice. Well run through the habits of each to help you determine which pest is making the racket in your attic. Wildlife inside your home can pose a significant health threat and can cause serious damage. Always engage professional animal control services to remove wild animals rather than attempt to remove them yourself.
Racoon Noises in Your Attic
Racoons are nocturnal foragers. They leave their nests at dusk and return in the early morning. Female racoons also search for safe nesting ground in spring. If you hear wildlife sounds in your attic at night, chances are it’s a racoon coming and going.
Racoon noises can range from light thumps to full on destruction. They are capable of ripping basketball sized holes in roofs. Most often they enter by tearing through a vent or soffit along your roof.
Fighting sounds in the early spring may mean you have racoons breeding in your attic. Chattering sounds, especially during the day, may mean you have baby racoons nesting.
Squirrel Noises in Your Attic
Squirrels are active during the daytime. They may be in and out all day dropping off food to store in your attic. You may hear nuts rolling on the floor or being stuffed down into your walls. Squirrels sleep at night and will be quiet all night long.
Squirrel habits and sounds vary depending on the species:
Red Squirrels
Red squirrels are the most active squirrel and the biggest chewers. They can cause large amounts of damage in a short time and even get into your home’s wiring. Red squirrels produce a lot of gnawing, scratching and screeching sounds during the day.
Flying Squirrels
If you hear soft thumping sounds at night, it may be flying squirrels. They are nocturnal animals that jump from rafter to rafter.
Gray Squirrels
Gray squirrels us existing holes and cracks in your roof, soffit and fascia to enter. They are noisy animals capable of loud squeaking, scratching and chewing noises. Like red squirrels they can chew electrical wires, creating a potential fire hazard.
Bat Noises in Your Attic
Bats are the biggest health risk among attic dwellers. Bat guano is toxic to human beings. If you have had bats in your attic for any length of time, make sure a professional animal clean up service removes all the accumulated waste.
Bat noises include wing flutters, scratching, squeaking and clicking. Bats typically leave their nest at dusk to hunt and return at dawn. They can enter through tiny, dime-sized holes that may be difficult to notice by the untrained eye.
Bird Noises in Your Attic
Chirping sounds in your attic or ceilings are a sure sign that birds have gotten into your home. Baby birds may chirp all day long and be an unwelcome nuisance. Fluttering and banging sounds are also common. Birds are not as keen as bats and run into walls and supports when confined. This can often lead to dead birds in your attic.
Birds can also find their way into vents and will nest above bathroom ceiling fans. A wildlife removal expert can humanely remove birds from these difficult areas.
Mouse Noises in Your Attic
Mice are nocturnal and become loud when everything else is quiet. As a result, they are sometimes mistaken for larger animals.
Mice make chewing, scratching and squeaking sounds in ceilings and walls. In attics they often make their nests along access panels and hatches where the temperature is warmer.
How to Get Rid of Animals in Your Attic
Wild animals are dangerous and unpredictable. Your best option to safely remove wildlife from your home is to hire a professional. Most wildlife specialists like Varment Guard offer a full range of services like:
- Clean up.
- Roof or siding repair.
- Insulation removal and replacement.
- Work with home insurance companies.
- Waste removal.
- Dead animal removal.
- Prevention.
Safe and Effective Attic Wildlife Removal
Don’t let those unsettling scratching noises in the attic go on another day. Call or contact Varment Guard for a licensed technician who knows how to safely remove animals from your home and how to fortify it against future intrusion.
