Mice Sometimes are the Issue
As a nuisance animal removal company, we get a lot of calls for noises in the attic and many of our removals involve attics.
Raccoons, squirrels, birds, and bats all use attics and make a variety of noises up there.
For example, the picture to the right shows a large amount of grass that starlings carried into an attic to make a nest.
The hole in the plywood where the birds are getting in can be visualized from the outside and bird noises are pretty distinctive. This is an easy “noise in the attic” case to diagnose.
But, without these clues and laying eyes on the structure, it is sometimes hard to figure out based on descriptions alone.
One animal that people don’t often suspect as making noise in attics is mice.
The purpose of today’s blog is to share with readers that;
- Mice often use attics
- They can often be heard well in a quiet home at night
- If no other signs of animals are found, it is a good idea to try mouse control first
Clues to Mice in Attics
Diagnosing mice as the issue, instead of another nuisance species, can be difficult.
Here are some things to think about:
- Mice are mostly nocturnal. If you are hearing the attic noises during the daylight hours, you’re better off suspecting birds or gray, red, & fox squirrels. Flying squirrels, bats, and raccoons are nocturnal though leaving them as possible suspects.
- Mice noises will generally be pretty subtle– scratches, squeaks, chewing, and some scurrying. Raccoons generally make much louder sounds. Flying squirrels and bats make subtle sounds as well.
- Mice generally leave droppings. Investigating an attic with mice often reveals mouse droppings. Mouse droppings are hard, have a tapered end(s), and are scattered. Bat guano is usually located below roosting spots and can be crushed to a powder with insect flakes seen in it. Flying squirrel poop is generally confined to a particular spot and is cylindrical.
But, as we’ve stated, sometimes it is hard to figure out. And, there are many cases where mice and some of the other nuisance species that use attics have been found together.
When we are having a hard time figuring it out, we might set up traps for multiple species AND a video camera.
Here is an example of that: Raccoons and squirrels could have possibly been using the attic with an opening to the outside. The camera reveals mice present for sure. They are even jumping around enough to set off and momentarily be captured in the test squirrel trap.
Squirrels, Bats, Raccoons & Birds–No Mice
For customers with attic noises in the Stark, Summit, and Portage, Ohio area, we can help you get to the bottom of your attic noise problem, whether through diagnosis or removal of one of our target species.
But, if you suspect that mice may in fact be the issue, you’ll be better off putting some mouse traps up in the attic as a start.
We do not offer mouse extermination services at this time.
So, if we come to the conclusion that there are no squirrels, birds, bats, or raccoons making the noise, you’ll need to call someone who deals with mice specifically.
If you’ve read this and think your noise in the attic is probably more than mice, though, we’d love to hear from you.
We know that noise in the attic is annoying…we hope this has helped.
