From the sounds of gray squirrels to bat guano, recognizing signs of animals in your home can prevent health risks and unwanted home repairs. Whether they're heard at a specific time of day or noticed through destructive behaviors, these critters can carry harmful diseases. Sometimes you can remove them yourself, but when in doubt, don't hesitate to get the attention of a wildlife specialist who can offer safe, efficient solutions.
Signs You Have Animals in Your Attic
1. Evidence of Scratching and Chewing
"Look for signs of scratching and chewing. Many animals, particularly rodents, will gnaw on just about anything they can get their teeth on," notes Meg Pearson, Training Manager at Critter Control. "If you notice signs of gnawing on your attic fixtures that weren’t previously there, it’s very likely you’re dealing with a rodent of some kind in your attic."
She adds, "You should also check to see if any attic insulation has been chewed or ripped up; rodents will often use insulation materials and other things from around your attic to help build nests for their litters."
If you're considering DIY trapping and removal, consider the risks. "If you see any rodent indicators in your attic, it is best to have a professional address them sooner rather than later," recommends Pearson. "It may not seem like much damage, but rodents are known to chew on electrical wires which can not only lead to costly repairs and replacements but can also cause dangerous electrical fires. Although these animals are small in size, the calamity they can create for you is large."
2. Unexpected Smells
Whether it's from bats, mice, chipmunks, or other pests, take their hint. Any type of animal can leave behind odors from nesting materials and feces. "The thing you’ll smell throughout your house, even when wild animals are contained only to your attic, is the pungent scent left by animal waste," notes Pearson. "If you catch this lingering, unpleasant smell throughout your house that never quite seems to go away, it is likely the scent of animal droppings being carried from the attic into the traditional living spaces through the home’s ventilation system."
3. Strange Noises
- Daytime sounds: "If you have a rodent problem in your attic, you’ll likely hear scratching noises or scurrying during the daytime, especially in the mornings," shares Pearson. "This is likely the sound of them scampering around your attic, going from point A to point B. Mice will often make a high-pitched squeaking noise that can help you quickly identify a problem from below."
- Nighttime sounds: "If you notice that sounds only come from the attic in the nighttime hours, you may more likely be dealing with a bat problem," she adds. "Bats sleep during the daylight hours and become most active at night; if this describes your situation, you may want to have your attic and home inspected for bats by a professional."
Dare to DIY? How to Get Rid of an Attic Infestation Yourself
If you have a rodent problem, try to handle it with store-bought bait traps. "Be aware that mice multiply very quickly, meaning a mouse problem can get out of hand in just a few months," notes Pearson.
Other animals, like bats, have a much more complicated removal process. "Most states have bat protection laws in place to help combat their decreasing population caused by rapid habitat loss," shared Pearson's colleague, Jason Burkhart, Managing Director at Critter Control. "Because it’s so important for [bats] to safely reproduce each year, they cannot be removed from your home until late August or September, once their newborn pups are old and strong enough to fly on their own, that way they have a better chance of survival in the wild."
For pests that a homeowner can legally attempt to remove, Burkhart cautions, "On a practical level, DIY removals seldom go as seamlessly as you might expect; the situation can get out of hand quickly, which may lead to bats coming into contact with you, your family, your pets or areas of the house you don’t want them to be in."
Getting rid of the pests is also only step one. Preventing them from coming back is step two. Common animals like rodents and bats can continue to enter through ridge vents or other openings, drawn by the promise of warmth and protection, especially during the fall and winter. When you hire a professional, they help to remove the pests, and they'll also inspect your ceiling and attic space, soffits, and gable vents for holes and other visible damage so you know exactly what needs to be fixed.
Can attic invaders pose health risks?
Oh, yes. Animals like rodents and bats can carry harmful diseases transmitted through droppings or direct contact. Their nesting materials and waste can contaminate insulation and air circulation, causing potential respiratory issues for homeowners. Professional critter removal not only eliminates the infestation but also minimizes health risks by safely sanitizing and restoring your space.
