When you hear noises in the attic, it’s never a good sign. Scratching and scurrying is generally a sign of some type of pest that has invaded your home. Pests can gnaw and chew up electrical wires and are a huge culprit in attic fires.
Common Attic Pests
- Rodents
Rodents are the most common type of pest that people tend to find in their attic. They love warm areas where they can quickly grab food and hideaway. The attic is perfect for that. It can also provide a dry space during the cold and wet winter months. Rats can chew through nearly any wall cavity and they can also squeeze into tight spaces. They are usually active during the night, therefore, most people don’t usually identify a rodent problem unless droppings are found.
- Squirrels
While squirrels can usually be seen running around outside, there are times where they like to find a warm place to cuddle up in. The attic provides a perfect and secure place for squirrels to stay warm and store their food. Since they are more active during the daytime hours, squirrels are easier to identify than rodents are.
- Bats
Bats can gain access to your attic by squeezing through small spaces and gaps within your roofline. Bats don’t usually make a lot of noise, but they do leave some odoriferous droppings in their path. Their droppings can also cause some contamination issues that cause diseases like histoplasmosis. Bats are nocturnal so they can be hard to identify without the sign of their droppings.
- Snakes
Snakes are always looking for a warm place to curl up in because they are ectothermic (they don’t produce much body heat). The attic is not only warm, but it’s also dark and quiet too. This means it’s the perfect spot for the fanged pest. Snakes don’t make a lot of noise and they tend to hide inside the walls so it can be hard to identify one. Usually, skin that’s been shed, eggs, or nests are the best identifiers.
When you have pests in your attic, it becomes a risk to you and your family. They carry different diseases and pests like rodents can cause food contamination. Bats and squirrels can leave disease in their droppings while snakes can be venomous.
If you are hearing noises in your attic and think you might have a pest or two, call in a professional to check it out for you. Wildout Animal and Pest Removal can offer you a free thorough inspection, remove all pests and even, clean up any mess the pest made during its unsolicited vacation in your home.