What’s That Sound in My Attic?

March 27, 2023 Kristin Dodd

Because they offer a warm, dry environment, attics attract a wide range of wild animals seeking shelter. Many home owners first become aware of the issue when they hear noises coming from above their ceiling. Determining what has taken up residence in the highest level of your home is the first step in addressing the problem.

Signs of Squirrels

If squirrels have made a home in your attic, expect to hear noise throughout the day, with the highest levels of activity in the early morning and just before sunset. Squirrels tend to move in a fast scamper, and you may hear the creatures rolling nuts across your ceiling. Because squirrels typically stay close to where they entered your attic, the noise they make will likely be concentrated near the edge of your roof; however, they may enter your walls, causing you to hear their scurrying up and down as well.

Signs of Raccoons

Because raccoons are nocturnal, most of the noise from a raccoon infestation will come at night. Raccoons must leave your attic to forage for food, so most noise from raccoons will occur just after sunset and right before sunrise. Raccoons are large and rather heavy, so their movement will sound more like heavy footsteps than a squirrel’s light scampering. Unlike most other animals that can get into attics, raccoons also vocalize; if you hear growling or chattering coming from above your ceiling, raccoons are the likely culprit.

Signs of Rats or Mice

Much like squirrels, rats and mice typically generate a quick, light scurrying sound; unlike squirrels, however, rats and mice make most of their noise at night. Mice and rats often move quite fast. Depending on the acoustics of your attic, these tiny creatures can sound much larger than their actual size.

Signs of Bats

Like raccoons, bats are nocturnal. However, unlike raccoons, bats tend to be fairly quiet when in small numbers. Most home owners will not notice any noise from a small infestation of bats. A large swarm of bats in the thousands, on the other hand, will make a huge commotion; in these numbers, home owners will be able to hear the bats’ flying, squeaking and crawling.

Signs of Opossums

Opossums are nocturnal, so home owners with opossums in their attic will hear the most noise at night. While these animals are generally pretty quiet, opossums are also rather heavy. If you do hear evidence of these creatures, the noises will sound like heavy, slow walking.

As a family-owned and environmentally-friendly pest control company, Carolina Pest Management seeks to handle your pest problems both effectively and humanely. Please contact us today for more information about our all-natural pest control and wildlife removal services.