What Does It Mean When You Hear Noises in the Walls at Night?

Nothing’s more unsettling than hearing something moving around inside your home’s walls or attic space at night. You might hear scratching or scurrying, or maybe loud stomping and shuffling. Don’t worry, it’s probably not a ghost! Just a nuisance critter that may be ripping up your insulation! Thankfully, you can quickly identify what type of animal is in your attic by listening carefully for the noise, and then get rid of it by contacting Westchester Wildlife for safe, humane trapping and removal services in the Westchester area.

Scratching, Scurrying, or Pattering Sounds

If you are hearing scratching sounds, scurrying sounds, or faint pattering sounds coming from inside your walls or crawl space, you most likely have mice, rats, or squirrels. Squirrels are diurnal, so you are more likely to hear them during the day, while rats and mice are more active after dusk or before dawn. These sounds usually indicate that a squirrel is settling down and building a nest, often ripping out your insulation in the process. It could also indicate that rats or mice have gotten inside your house. It’s important to call a wildlife company like Westchester Wildlife as soon as you notice these noises, as rat and mice populations can explode into massive infestations seemingly overnight. Even worse, rats, mice and squirrels can chew on the rubber covering surrounding wires, which can create a potential fire hazard.

Thumping or Slow Movement

If you are hearing thumping, slow moving, or shuffling, especially at night, you might have a raccoon moving around your attic space. Mother raccoons often break into attic spaces to have babies, as your attic is safe, warm, and secluded. However, raccoons will rip up your insulation to make their nests, often digging latrines in the insulation to deposit their waste in. Raccoons can also tear through HVAC ducts and spread raccoon roundworm. Always leave raccoon removal to the professionals, as these fierce animals can lash out with their sharp claws and teeth when cornered, and may transmit the rabies virus.

High-Pitched Chirping or Squeaking

If you’re being annoyed all night by incessant high-pitched chirping or squeaking noises coming from behind walls, inside attic vents, or near chimneys, you might be hearing bats or baby squirrels. Bats are known to squeak, and unfortunately, bats don’t come alone, as they often nest in large groups, roosting and depositing their guano into your insulation. Squirrels will use your attic as a place to give birth and nurse their young, so high pitched squeaking can also be an indicator of a squirrel nest. No matter if its bats or squirrels, these sounds are an indicator that its time to call a professional.

Gnawing or Chewing

If you are hearing gnawing or chewing sounds coming from inside your walls or attic space, you most likely have rodents like rats, mice, or squirrels. These critters will gnaw at the tiniest gaps and openings to get inside your home, so you might hear them chewing around gaps in your roofline or foundation to get inside the home. Rodents have teeth that never stop growing, and in order to keep the length of their teeth manageable, they will gnaw on baseboards, drywall, cabinet doors, and any other hard surface they can find in your home.

Fluttering or Light Scratching

If you hear fluttering or light scratching sounds coming from inside your walls or vents, you might have birds or bats trapped inside your walls. You don’t want these critters dying in your walls, as they will quickly begin decomposing, creating an awful smell in your home.

What NOT To Do

If you hear animals coming from your walls or attic space, it’s important to NOT seal up the entry points before removing them, as you might trap the critter within the home. Removing wildlife yourself isn’t advisable, as wild animals are unpredictable and can bite or scratch when confronted. Avoid using poisons, as they can just lead to dead animals stuck in your walls or attic, and poisoning some animals like bats is highly illegal. And definitely DON’T just assume that the animal will go away on its own!

What You SHOULD Do

What you SHOULD do when hearing strange sounds in your walls or attic at night is contact a professional wildlife removal service like Westchester Wildlife. Additionally, listening closely to the animal sounds to identify patterns like the time of day, type of sound, and the frequency can help you identify the animal sooner.

How Westchester Wildlife Can Help

If you have nuisance animals inside your crawl space, contact the experts at Westchester Wildlife. Our team of experts will conduct a thorough inspection of your property to locate the animals and where they are getting in. Next, we will safely trap and remove all the nuisance critters from your property. Finally, we will repair any damage done by the animals and seal off their entry points, fully excluding them from your home. Contact our team today to get started at (800) 273-6673!

800.273.6673

914.760.5713

845.279.6220