Noises in the Night

How to Approach Animal Removal in Your Attic

When things go bump in the night, it may be the first sign that you have an unwanted creature in your attic that requires animal removal. Other telltale signs include small entry holes, damages, feces and footprints. Lured by warmth and a place to breed, several small animals tend to make the trek into attics throughout the year. So here's a quick rundown on how to identify which animal is making your house its home, so that you can approach pest control and animal removal effectively.

Raccoons

Raccoons tend to be heavy footed and travel at night. You'll also hear chirps from their young. March, April and May are when they burrow indoors for birth season, requiring a large entry hole via your duct work or torn insulation.

Mice

If mice are at bay, you'll hear pitter-pattering and scratching at night. You might also notice some chewed wiring and woodwork, most commonly in the winter months when they seeking warmth inside.

Rats

Like mice, rats can be heard travelling in the walls at nighttime during the winter. They're also known to chew wiring and woodwork, plus piping and home goods. For both mice and rats, pest control specialists will look for small gaps around your home coated in brown grease, which will signify their entry points.

Squirrels

Scurrying sounds during the day are a sign of squirrels. They require only a two-inch entry hole into your home, which they may chew themselves in addition to nibbling on wires and wood in your attic. They tend to enter as a family (mother squirrel with her young) in the late spring and early fall or in late winter and early spring.

Bats

You'll hear chirping at nighttime if bats are camping out in your attic in the warmer months. You're not likely to see any interior damage from bats, but rather will notice their feces and urine.

While feces and footprints from all of these animals can help to identify which ones are in your attic, pest control is a task best left to the professionals. An experienced wildlife team can ensure that animal removal takes place safely and humanely without poisons or injury. They'll also make every effort to prevent re-entry so that you can sleep soundly knowing that your attic is safe and secure.