What’s That Noise in My Attic? Common Wildlife Intruders in Your Attic

Nothing can ruin your night faster than waking up to the sound of something squeaking, scraping and thumping around just a few feet above your head. Unfortunately, attics tend to be a hotspot for wildlife intrusions in Raleigh. They’re dark, sheltered, warm and rarely entered by people; just the way wild animals like it.

Many different wildlife species invade attics in the Raleigh area. Keep reading to learn what might be making those weird sounds in your attic.

 

The Most Common Culprits of Attic Noises

• Bats – As far as bats are concerned, your attic is the next best thing to a cave. When bats move in, your mosquito population will go down; unfortunately, bats will also cover the floor of your attic with their droppings, known as guano. This guano is highly acidic and will destroy both insulation and floorboards, creating a terrible smell in the process. If you hear squeaking and fluttering noises coming from your attic at night, it’s likely that your Raleigh home is playing host to a family of bats.
• Raccoons – Bigger than the average attic intruder, raccoons are generally too loud for you not to hear them bumping around. Raccoons are also probably the most destructive wildlife that can enter your attic in Raleigh. They’ll rip insulation and drywall to shreds, and they might even tear apart roof shingles. Raccoons also spread parasites like roundworm and ticks, and diseases like leptospirosis and rabies. You can differentiate raccoons from other attic intruders by the loudness of their thumping, and they also make a wide range of odd vocalizations.
• Squirrels – Squirrels are one of the most frequent attic invaders in Raleigh, with flying squirrels proving particularly adept at slipping in through small holes. Mother squirrels will often infest attics, using them as a nice safe place to raise their young. Like all rodents, squirrels’ teeth are constantly growing, and they’ll file them down by gnawing on wood, plastic and wires. In addition to these destructive tendencies, squirrels spread diseases like leptospirosis, salmonella and tularemia through their urine and droppings. If squirrels have entered your attic, expect to hear scratching and scurrying noises, accompanied by occasional squeaking.

 

Get Those Critters Out of Your Attic Now!

The longer wildlife is allowed to occupy your attic, the higher the cost of damage and the higher the risk of disease transmission. To get rid of the wild animals in your Raleigh attic before the worst happens, contact Southern Wildlife and Land Management today!