What’s that noise in my attic?
It is disconcerting to hear a noise in your attic. A pest creates noise when in your attic. To identify the source of a noise, answer these questions.
When does the noise occur?
First, does the noise occur during the day or at night? The answer will tell you if the pest is diurnal or nocturnal. A noise in the daytime indicates a diurnal pest. At night, the source is a nocturnal pest.
Attic pulldown stairs lowered to allow access to the attic.
What does the noise sound like?
Second, What does the noise sound like? Is the noise a scratching sound? If yes and nocturnal, it could be a mouse or a bat. Scratching from mice will occur all year and scratching from bats normally only occurs in the winter on colder days. If yes and diurnal, most likely a mouse. Is the noise a chattering sound? If yes and diurnal, the source is likely a grey squirrel. Is the noise a tumbling and scampering? If yes and nocturnal, likely a flying squirrel. Flying squirrels will make noise several nights in a row, then may move to another house or tree for several nights. Is the noise a rolling sound? If yes and nocturnal, likely a mouse, the rolling sounds are acorns rolling across the plaster ceiling.
Inspect for evidence.
In conclusion, you can usually narrow down the source of a noise in your attic by understanding a little about the animals that may be causing the noise. The next logical step is a visual inspection of the attic. The presence of droppings or nesting materials will confirm the type of pest. A exterior perimeter inspection is completed after the interior inspection or if the interior is not accessible. Chewed wood around eaves and attic vents are signs of grey squirrel entry. Flying squirrels and bats use existing openings around vents, flashing, eaves and soffits. Flying squirrels will enlarge the openings. Because they are smaller, the damage is not as obvious as grey squirrel entry. Need help? Give us a ring.
