Tag Archives: animal noises

Reducing The Risk Of Mice And Rats In Your Home

Mice House mice, which are generally active at night, are gray in color and small: usually between two to four inches long. Their nests are typically 12 to 15 inches across and made out of fibrous materials such as paper, and are loosely knit together. Some signs you have house mice include partially nibbled food and small droppings.

Rats are larger in size than house mice (they are 12 to 16 inches from nose to tail) and are a grayish brown color with a long hairless tail. The most common sign you have rats is droppings near food sources along with evidence of gnawing, burrows, tracks, nests and rub marks. It is important to control and eliminate any mice or rats in your home because they contaminate the environments in which they live through their urine, droppings and hairs. They also can carry a wide range of diseases, which can be passed on to humans, either by directly contaminating food with their droppings and urine, or by contaminating surfaces. Rats specifically can pass on the potentially fatal Weils Disease, which is carried by about 15 to 30 per cent of the rat population.

In addition to the potential threat of contamination and the threat of disease, they can also cause extensive structural damage to property. Mice and rats have strong teeth and are capable of gnawing a variety of materials. According to experts, there is a significant risk of fire and electrocution as a result of mice and rodents chewing through electric cables and wiring.

You can discourage mice from taking up residence and prevent infestations by blocking access points to your home and improving hygiene:

  • Check that doors fit tightly
  • Check that windows close tightly
  • Seal all cracks, openings, and holes
  • Inspect for access points around gas, electricity, and water pipes
  • Store food carefully with tight-fitting lids
  • Clean up any spills immediately
  • Remove garbage and other materials that can be used by mice

RatRats can be both more difficult and more dangerous to deal with. Before you attempt to deal with a rat problem yourself, it is critical to identify where rats are living, feeding, and drinking, and the routes they take between these areas. Look out for:

  • Droppings
  • Footprints
  • Holes and burrows
  • Runs and tracks
  • Other signs such as sightings or a musky smell

You need to find out how the rats are getting into your home. Try blocking any holes you find with newspaper or similar material or similar material and returning 24 hours to see if it was disturbed. The trained professionals at Attic Solutions can assist you in eliminating any rat or mice problems you may be experiencing.

What’s that Noise? Animals could be in Your Home

What's driving you nuts? SquirrelImagine you are in your bed, happy to be lying down after a long day but your rest is abruptly interrupted by loud scratching noises coming from your walls or attic. 

If these noises persist, chances are you have an unwelcome roommate scratching around within your walls, attic, crawlspaces, or basement.

Animals that invade homes are looking for food and shelter and if they become too comfortable, they may start digging further into your home scratching through wood, drywall, or insulation.

It is best to contact a wildlife control expert such as Attic Solutions if an animal is found in your home.

For professional wildlife removal and attic restoration call: (847) 464-1861

The following are the most common noise-causing home invaders and a description of the noises they make.

Scratching Noises from Bats

Bats are most likely to invade homes in the late summer and fall seasons and they often enter through small openings in the attic.  They have a tendency to get stuck in walls and respond by making scratching and squeaking noises as they try to free themselves.

Bats can also form colonies in attics if there is a significant infestation which can be very noisy and cause property damage.  The scratching and scurrying noises from bats occur mostly at night because they are nocturnal animals.  If you believe your home may have bats due to scratching noises, contact Attic Solutions to have a professional check it out.

Related: Bat Hibernation

Noises from Rats and Mice

Rodents such as rats and mice are among the most common home invaders and they can usually be identified by the scratching noises they make.  They can be heard scratching around within walls and ceilings as they seek food and shelter within your home.  Attic Solutions can help rid your home of a rat or mouse infestation and implement preventative measures to help keep rodents out of your home.

Related: The differences between rats and mice

Trapped Birds

Birds typically enter homes looking for a nesting spot and their quest sometimes causes them to get stuck in walls, attics, or crawlspaces.  As birds try to find a way out, they make scratching and chirping noises or cause a commotion by vigorously flapping their wings.  They are most likely to be heard early in the morning as they try searching for food.  Make sure to contact Attic Solutions if you suspect a bird infestation in your home.

Related: Watch out for birds nesting in the attic

Noises from Raccoons

Raccoons are known for invading home attics in search of shelter and making homes for themselves out of the insulation.  Raccoons are nocturnal animals and can be heard scurrying in the ceiling and making scratching noises in the middle of the night.  They are also among the loudest home invaders.  It is best to have a professional from Attic Solutions handle a raccoon intrusion as they can be quite wily and dangerous.

Related: Raccoons in the attic

Squirrel Noises

Squirrels most commonly invade homes through the attic from tree tops and they can be heard running, jumping, and scratching in the ceiling.  They are most active during the day and make the most noise when coming and going from the house to look for food.  Squirrels can be quite tricky to deal with which is why you should contact Attic Solutions if you discover a squirrel in your home.

Related: Removing squirrels in the attic


As soon as you suspect you may have an animal infestation, call us immediately at 847-464-1861 for removal. We are trained professionals and equipped to deal with animal exclusion and removal, including humane live animal trapping (never poisons!).

We will remove the animal and fix any property damage they may have caused. Click to read more about animal removal services from Attic Solutions.

Call us at (847) 464-1861