I Hear Noises in My Loft – What Pests Are Up There?

Pest Defence are here to provide you with a guide to the noises that may be coming from your loft, so you can decipher the pest that’s likely to be taking refuge up there. Hearing noises in the loft can be very unsettling, and to be faced with a pest can be enough to make anyone run a mile. Pest Defence encourage those worrying about strange noises in the attic to read this article as it may be beneficial to you know what you’re dealing with, and the signs to look out for. However, it is still important to call a pest control professional to get your problem solved.

What pests am I hearing in my loft?

Squirrels

Squirrels are generally heard early mornings and later on in the evenings. They’re noisy, as their running is frantic and their scratching can be excessively loud. Squirrels also love to chew on anything, and this, unfortunately, includes woodwork in the attic which can be extremely damaging if they happen to catch a wire. This being said, it’s good to keep a squirrel contained in your attic because if they’re let loose they can ruin your home. They’re just as frightened of you as you are of them, and their instant attempt to escape could be troublesome if they’re exposed to more than just your attic. Not to mention, if they have fleas and mites you don’t want them running riot around your home; keep a squirrel contained and call an expert.

How to get rid of squirrels in your loft

Never use poison to get rid of squirrels and their nests, it’s illegal and inhumane. When dealing with squirrels in the loft it’s much better to use traps/cages or exclusion doors – better yet, call a professional who can remove all squirrels and squirrel nests from your loft, safely and professionally. To prevent them from returning, cover all entrances and cut trees that are close by.  

Mice

If you have mice in the loft, you’re most likely to hear light scratching or nibbling. This can send shivers down anyone’s spine with the thought of them making their way into your living areas. Even if they stay above, you may find the mice in your loft keeping you awake. You will want to find the entrance(s) they used to make their way into your attic, so you can cover these. You will have to be thorough, as they can find their way into excessively small gaps including vents and pipes. They also create their own routes through the insulation of your home – so you may even hear pitter-patters inside the walls. It’s important that the problem is tackled head-on before they multiply in the dozens!

How to get rid of mice in your loft

To help you get rid of mice in the attic, mouse traps and poison are readily available on the high street; however, this just gets rid of the immediate mice and not the nest. Turn to a professional team who can ensure that your mice problem is completely eradicated, so that your home is safe and your family, healthy.

Rats

What do rats in the loft sound like? You will be able to hear them scurrying across the floor at night or throughout the day; they also gnaw more loudly than mice. Rats will also find their way into most spaces and take shelter in cavity walls and loft insulation. Depending on how many rats have made their way into your attic, you will generally hear scratching in an isolated area. With mice and rats, if you tap on the area you hear the noise coming from, they will be silent and vacate to a different area of the attic.

How to get rid of rats in your loft

Normal mouse traps can often be too small for rats, so live traps or calling out a professional exterminator are your best options to get rid of rats in the attic. It’s vital to get rid of rats as soon as you notice the signs because they can be extremely damaging to your home and health.

Bats

It’s unlikely that you will hear a bat in your loft as they will fly to the high rafters, so you’re more likely to see one when they make their way into your living area during the night time. The only time you may hear noises is if a bat gets stuck within a wall, as you may hear scratching if they fall or hit the wall whilst trying to get out. If you go out at night time, you may even be able to see the bats flying to and from your roof – this will give you a good indication of their access areas.

How to get rid of bats from your loft

Bats are protected animals because they need conservation and do a lot for our environment. Bats are completely harmless and beneficial animals and will do no harm to your property, and many people consider it a privilege to share their homes with bats. It is actually a criminal offence to remove bats from places where they are resting or breeding, unless done so under the authority of a licence. If you are considering preventative measure to avoid pests taking up residence in your home it is important to first look for signs of bats, because it is illegal to block their entry points and restrict their natural movements once you already have bats inhabiting your building. For more advice and information on bats, please contact Natural England or The Bat Conservation Trust. 

Bees & Wasps 

Humming sounds might be heard if there’s a large nest of wasps or bees in your attic. Their nests can be as big as the size of a football, so it’s possible you will hear a dull buzzing sound if you get close. This being said, it is important not to get too close or threaten them as they can sting you multiple times, so beware if you have wasp allergies!  

How to get rid of bees and wasps in the loft

If you hear you have bees or wasps in the loft, what’s best to do? The last thing you want to be doing is trying to remove a wasps nest without any experience or any protective wear. In the case of wasps or bees, it’s best to leave it to the experts who will be able to remove them from hard-to-reach-places without causing any danger to you and your family.

Birds

Frantic flapping and tweeting sounds are a tell-tale sound of a bird in your attic. Although they’re not as big a threat as mice and rats, birds can ruin your roof and tiles so it’s important to help release them back outside. Birds have a very distinct sound if they’re stuck in your loft, they will call out repeatedly.

How to get rid of birds in the loft

What’s best to do with birds in your loft is trap them and remove them. This can be done easily, simply fill a bowl with bird feed, pop it into a cage trap and wait for them to fly inside. Once they are in, close the cage shut and let them go outside. You will want to cover any entrances to ensure that they do not come back to your attic, and always contact a pest professional if you are unable to deal with the problem safely and effectively yourself.

Silverfish

If you have silverfish, you won’t hear them but you will certainly see them scurrying around in the dark when you enter your loft. Silverfish enjoy moist areas and because your attic is an uninhabited room, it’s likely that there’s a little damp – an ideal place for them to reside and enjoy starchy foods such as old books.

How to get rid of silverfish from your loft

Check for any leaks and have them fixed, cover any cracks in foundations and ensure that you have a tight, secure attic. Next, remove their food source, this includes clothes, books and cardboard. Alternatively, place these items into plastic containers rather than cardboard boxes because they will make good work of this delicious treat. Lastly, hoover and use a dehumidifier to extract any moisture in your attic.

Flies

Like bees and wasps, you may hear buzzing coming from your attic and this can certainly send shivers down your spine. Flies live for a maximum of 30 days but during this time, they can lay around 400 to 600 eggs, leading to a huge infestation. Flies very much enjoy areas where the moisture levels are high and are attracted by nearby food, so your outside bins for example, could be their local restaurant.

How to get rid of flies from your loft

Remove the moisture from the air, get a dehumidifier to do this. Cover all food, keep everything clean and keep your outdoor bins shut properly.

Once you have managed to get rid of your pests, you must cover up all accessible entries, to reduce the risk of this happening again.

Here at Pest Defence we hope to put your minds at ease. Hearing sounds from the attic isn’t a nice experience, so listen out and get the problem solved as soon as possible. We’re a team of fully qualified and accredited professionals that provide same day emergency response. Our team have been established since 1989 and we’re local authority and trading standards approved. If you wish for any other information or have a problem with pests, give our professionals a call today!