Do You Hear Noises in the Attic? It Could be a Critter

Do you hear creepy noises coming from your attic? What could it possibly be? Depending on the type of noise and what time of day, it’s possible to figure out just what type of critter problem you are having. Let’s take a look at what animal is in your attic. 

Wildlife inside of your home can be a threat to the health of you and your loved ones, and they can cause thousands of dollars in damage if they aren’t evicted immediately. If you think there’s an animal in your attic, call a professional animal control services to help you remove wild animals from your home. Raccoons, squirrels, bats, birds, and even mice are all animals that love to make their way into the attic. Let’s take a look at their habits and some of the warning signs of each animal, so that we can get them out of there as quickly as possible. 

 

​

Raccoon sounds in the attic

Raccoon mommas will search for a warm, safe place to have their babies, and that just might be your attic! Raccoons are nocturnal, so they will leave the nest at dusk and return in the early morning. If you hear noise in the early morning and/or at dusk, you could have raccoon visitors. Raccoons are big critters so it will sound like there is a dog up there bouncing around. Raccoons will tear up insulation to make a den, they will use one side as a bathroom, and if they feel threatened, they could end up crawling into the walls. If a mother raccoon has babies, she will hide them down in the walls until the threat has left. 

 

Raccoons have sharp claws, and can use their paws to rip down soffits, pull out gable vents, to make their way into your home. Their back paws can rotate 180 degrees which allows them to climb right up the downspouts and onto your roof. If there is a raccoon in your attic or walls, it will sound like a dog playing around up there. If a mother raccoon gets in to have babies she could end up hiding them in the walls to make sure they're safe. It's a great idea for her, but could be a big problem as a homeowner! 

 

Learn more about our Raccoon Removal Service​

​

Squirrel noises in the attic

Grey squirrels are the most common species of squirrel found in Williamstown, NJ and the surrounding communities. These little critters have razor sharp claws and teeth that are capable of chewing through even the toughest surface in order to get into your home. Grey squirrels are active during the day and will spend the day going back and forth, bringing food up to store in that attic. Squirrels tend to find rotted out wood then scratch and bite it until they have enough room to squeeze in, we’ve even seen them biting through gutters!

If you have squirrels in your attic you will hear scratching, shuffling, and crying if babies are present. It will sound small, and they will make the most noise first thing in the morning and around dusk. 

​

Learn More about our squirrel removal service

​

Flying Squirrels in the attic

Most people don't know this, but South Jersey does have flying squirrels! Flying squirrels are a tiny species of squirrel that have a fatty membrane that they use to glide through the air, which is why they are called “flying” squirrels. If you don't have any trees around your home, but still hear noises in the attic, chances are these little guys flew over from the tree line onto your roof, then into your attic. These little critters are nocturnal so you will hear them leaving at dusk then returning in the early morning. These little guys love to play around so you might here them chasing one another if they make their way into your attic. If you think you have a flying squirrel, you probably have a family of them living in your home. There can be anywhere from 3 to 8 flying squirrels living there together!

​

Learn More about our Wildlife Exclusion Services
 

Bats in the Attic

Bat’s aren’t the loudest animal to get into your attic, but they do pose the most risk. Bat guano (feces) is toxic and is hazardous to humans. DO NOT try to clean up bat guano on your own, the professional animal removal experts have the equipment necessary to safely remediate your home.

 

If bats are present in your attic you might hear wing fluttering, banging or shuffling as it gets ready to roost, and/or clicking. They are nocturnal so keep an ear out around dusk and early in the mornings. 

 

Bats are a protected species and should not be messed with. There are strict regulations on bat removal and remediation so it’s best to consult with bat removal experts to make sure it’s done properly. 

Learn More about Animal Removal

 

Bird in the Attic

Birds are beautiful and fun to watch when they are hanging out by the bird feeder, but they aren’t so great when they make their way into your home. Birds can pop out soffits, fly into air vents on the side of the house, and even build nests right on top of lights and downspouts. Once they find a warm, safe spot, they start to bring twigs, sticks, and pine needles in to create a nest. If birds make their way into your attic, they could become disoriented and fly into the walls as they try and find their way back out. 

 

If you have birds in the attic you might notice chirping, fluttering of wings, and/or banging sounds as they squeeze their way into and out of your home.