Noise Identification

It often happens that the first indication of an unwanted animal in the home is a strange noise heard by the homeowner. This page will help you diagnose the different noises made by nuisance wildlife to better troubleshoot your specific problem. Keep in mind that different animals can make different noises in various circumstances. For example, scratching is almost always associated with a bat, but any animal that falls down into a wall void or becomes trapped somewhere may scratch. This guide is very general in nature; consult Creature Control at 1-800-441-1519 if you have more questions about specific noises in your home.

Noise: I am hearing a constant scratching sound coming from my attic.

A constant scratching sound coming from the attic is a good indication of the presence of a bat. The scratching may be constant or intermittent and may occur at day or night, though with a bat, this scratching will usually be heard at night.

Noise: I notice a gnawing/chewing kind of sound coming from the attic.

Gnawing sounds are almost always due to the presence of a rodent, such as a squirrel, chipmunk, or rat, Rodent's are characterised by their large incisor teeth, which continually grow and must be worn down by constant gnawing. Rodents will gnaw on on wires, insulation and anything else they can find in an attic. Many housefires due to electrical problems are caused by damaged wires due to rodent gnawing. The gnawing is a constant sound and should e distinguished from scratching, which is intermittent.

Noise: I hear a rolling sound coming from my attic.

A "rolling" sound is usually due to the presence of a red squirrel bringing in nuts or other debris and rolling it around up in the attic, as squirrels will use attics to hoard food. If you hear this sound during the day, it is certainly a red squirrel, since red squirrels are the only mammals that commonly get into attics that are active during the day (flying squirrels get into attics as well but they are nocturnal). The "rolling" sound associated with a squirrel is sometimes described as the sound of marbles rolling.

Noise: There is a scampering or crawling sound coming from my attic.

If the sound is happening during the day it is certainly a squirrel, since squirrels are the only attic-invading mammals that are active during the day. Raccoons may also make this sort of noise, but with a raccoon it will be more of a "walking" sound, a bit heavier than a squirrel, and not as fast. In addition to this, raccoons are mainly active at night, so it would not be during the day. Peak periods of activity for squirrels are just before dawn and shortly after sunset. Their scurrying is light and fast.

Noise: I notice a crawling or scampering sound inside my walls at night.

This could be a rat or mouse scampering around in a wall void. Look for other signs of rodent activity, such as droppings and urine stains. Usually mice do not make any noises unless they are in a duct or wall void. A squirrel that has fallen into a wall void and gotten stuck may also make this noise.

Noise: There is a heavy walking sound I hear coming from my attic or ceiling at night.

A heavy "walking" noise usually indicates the presence of a raccoon.

Noise: I hear a flapping sound coming from my ceiling or attic.

If you can really hear the sound of flapping, it is defintiely a bird. Bats flap their wings too, of course, but their flapping is silent. Even the flapping of a bird's wings are difficult to hear, although not impossible if the bird is nearby or is trapped.

Noise: There is a constant whining and crying sound coming from throughout my home, coupled with sounds of scuffling, fighting and a lot of things tossed about everywhere.

You have one or more young children around the house. Creature Control cannot help you with this.