What is Scratching in Your Attic & Walls?

It’s never comforting to hear something scratching around inside your walls or attic. This is exactly the type of thing that children tell ghost stories about, after all. Fortunately, those creepy scratching noises probably aren’t spooky spirits; most likely, the scratching is caused by wild animals that have found a way inside your home.

There are several wildlife species in Jacksonville that may have invaded your attic or walls. To figure out what you’re up against, you’ll first need to determine where the scratching is coming from, when you’re hearing it, and how loud it sounds. If the sounds are coming from your walls, they’re almost certainly caused by rodents, which are small enough to squeeze inside. Squirrels, rats and mice are all known to get inside walls and scratch around. Since mice are much smaller than rats and squirrels, the sounds they make will also probably be quieter. Squirrels are most active by day, while mice and rats are most active during night, so when you hear the scratching can help you figure out what’s causing it.

Scratching sounds in your attic can be caused by a wider variety of wild animals, including the same rodents as well as raccoons, bats and birds. If you think you hear the rustle of wings in addition to scratching, you’ve probably got either bats or birds. Birds are more active during the day, while bats are nocturnal. Very loud scratching noises and other sounds coming from your attic are most likely caused by a raccoon.

Have you been hearing scratching sounds in your attic or walls? Call Coastal Wildlife & Pest Control Services today if you need wildlife removal services in the Jacksonville area!