Things That Go Bump in the Night: Noises in Your Attic Might Indicate You Have a Varmint Problem

Some of the scariest ghost stories are built around strange noises in the night. The reality is that if you hear certain types of noises in your attic, you really do need to beware. Some sounds or noises that you hear in your attic might be indicative of rodent or other type of infestation above your head. The fact is that a rodent or other type of infestation in your attic can not only damage your home itself but can present a very real hazard to you and your family.

Most Common Types of Attic Invaders

In Southern California, and indeed throughout the state and much of the U.S.A., the most common types of animals that take up residence in a residential attic are:

  • Mice
  • Rats
  • Birds
  • Bats
  • Racoons
  • Squirrels

Of these, when it comes to attic-dwelling invaders, you are most likely to be “haunted” by mice and rats.

Noises Associated With Rodents in the Attic

Because rodents are the unwanted visitors most likely to end up in your attic, the focus is on the noises these creatures are apt to be heard making in your attic. The title and introduction reference noises heard in the night. Rodents generally are nocturnal animals. This means is that mice, rats, and other rodents are most active after the sun sets. Thus, you are most likely to hear sounds associated with a rodent infestation of your attic in the evening and during the night.

If you hear these types of noises in an attic, odds are you have a rodent infestation to address in your home:

  • Scratching
  • Scurrying
  • Squeaking

Bats and birds in your attic have some distinguishing noises. These include flapping sounds as these creatures fly about. In addition, bats emit squeaking noises and birds chirp.

If you have larger animals occupying your attic, you will hear scratching, scurrying, and squeaking-like noises. However, with larger animals that may nest in an attic, you may hear knocking sounds as they move about. Animals like squirrels and racoons that can end up nesting in an attic do make knocking-like sounds as they go about their business.

Noises: Not the Only Signs of an Attic Infestation

While noises can be a giveaway that you’ve an issue with rodents of some other varmints taking refuge in your attic, there are other important signs as well. Because rodents are the most common unwanted attic invaders, the focus will be one some of the other telltale signs of infestation in your attic. Other signs of rodent infestation in your attic include:

  • Rodent droppings or rodent feces
  • Scratch marks
  • Gnaw marks
  • Smell of urine
  • Rodent nests

You may also make visual contact with rodent invaders from time to time. Mice and rats may elect to nest in your attic; however, rodents forage for food. Thus, you may see them scurrying about your home.

You typically will see mice and rats running along the base of walls, perhaps heading to or from your kitchen. As noted previously, rodents primarily are nocturnal animals. Thus, if you make visual contact with a rodent or rodents in your home, that will likely occur as daylight fades and into the night.

Next Step When You Detect Noises in Your Attic

When you hear any of the noises described a moment ago or see other evidence of animal infestation in your attic, you need to be proactive in addressing the issue. Assuming the problem in your attic is a rodent infestation, you can attempt to address it through do-it-yourself measures. In dealing with rats and mice, the standard T-bar snap trap remains the most effective and humane way to eliminate these types of attic invaders.

The easiest way to ensure that rodents are eliminated from your attic is to hire a professional eradication company. A professional can ensure that rodents are removed from your attic in a manner that meets your objectives and your personal desires.

If you have bats in your attic, eliminating these flying mammals is more challenging. Depending on where you live, and depending on the specific species of bat, they may be protected animals. In other words, they may not legally be exterminated.

The reality is that there are humane trapping methodologies available to eliminate an array of varmints, including bats, birds, racoons, squirrels – and even mice and rats. Once again, you are best served retaining the services of a professional to eliminate theses types of attic invaders from your home, safely and humanely.

Attic Noises, Animal Elimination, and Rodent Droppings

After attic noises were identified, after invading varmints like rodents have been removed, you still must tend to waste left behind by animals that once infested the premises. In the case of mice and rats, you are faced with rodent dropping cleanup. Rodent droppings must be thoroughly and safely eliminated from an attic (or elsewhere in your residence). The recommended course to take to ensure that these feces are properly eliminated is to retain the services of an experienced, reputable rodent droppings cleanup company.