Noises in the Attic and Walls – Ghosts or Something Else?

You know that there should be no noises in your attic and walls. After all, no one’s living in the attic, and no one’s going to fit between the walls. Still, those scratching noises, light pitter-patter, and heavy thumping are keeping you up most nights and bothering you most days.

But what could those noises be? Are they ghosts moving around your home, or is there a simpler answer?

Differentiating the Noises

More often than not, the noises in your attic and between your walls are caused by nothing but pests. There are different types of pests, so you need to know how to differentiate the noises they make to be able to apply the proper pest control method.

• Daytime noises are oftentimes caused by squirrels foraging for food in your attic. The noises they make are quick and scurrying noises.
• Nighttime noises, on the other hand, are cause by rats and mice. They make these quick, pitter-patter noises as they move around your attic in search for food. If you hear loud, thumping noise, then they could either be an opossum or a raccoon. You may also be able to hear growls coming from your attic.
• Sunset noises, coupled with chirping and light scurrying noises, may be caused by bats. It’s not uncommon for bats to live in an attic, especially an unused one with a slightly opened window.
• If you hear slithering noises though, particularly slow crawling ones, then your attic may be home to a snake. This is especially true if you live in woody areas. The noises they make could both be heard during the daytime as well as the nighttime.
• Noises between your walls, particularly that of a popping or a crackling one, is a sign that your home may be infested with termites. However, you will only hear them if they heard a loud noise or were disturbed by a certain smell. The sound they make is their way of warning the colony of danger. There may also mice between your walls, and the sounds they make are scurrying, scratching ones.

Other Telltale Signs of Pest Infestation

Aside from the sounds and noises these pests make as they feed or forage for food, you will also be able to see telltale signs of pest infestation. If you visit your attic, for example, you will see droppings and dried urine puddles littering the floor. There will also be shredded paper, clumps of leaves and twigs, or pieces of fabric that these pests, particularly mice, used for nests.

You will also notice an unpleasant smell, which came from their excrements and glands. It smells musky, rank, and pungent, particularly if their population has grown large enough. If your home is infested with rats and mice, you will also notice a certain ammonia stench that can really offend your nostrils.

Another way to check if your home is infested with pests is by setting traps and baits.

Dealing with Pests

Now that you’re sure there are no ghosts in your home, but pests, you need to get rid of them quickly. Pests are, after all, known carriers of diseases that can be very harmful to humans.

There are DIY pest control methods that you can employ, but if you want to be safe and certain that your home will be rid of these pests, then getting in touch with your local pest control provider is always a good thing.

Jennifer David is a pest management consultant. She also owns and manages her own niche blog as well as contributes articles for a pest control Phoenix company during her spare time.

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