Homes make noise—everybody knows this. While some noises are commonplace, others could indicate a bigger problem. If you’re hearing sounds in house walls, it could be from wildlife. Here are some sounds you’ll likely hear and what they could mean, plus what you can do to make them stop.
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Home Sound Effects
Homes make a lot of weird sounds on the own at given times of the day, often because of structural shifts or mechanical reasons. A knocking or banging in the walls usually occurs when water faucets are turned on and off. It creates a “pressure hammer” because pressure builds up in the pipes that vibrate once released. If a piece of machinery or pipe isn’t mounted properly, or it has loosened over time behind the wall, it will begin to bang against the wall without a secure footing.
Clicking, knocking, and clanking are sometimes a seasonal occurrence. Turning on the heat for the first time for the season wakes up the pipes and ducts. The ductwork in the home expands and contracts with the changing temperature. On a hot day, you could hear a popping noise by the roof, caused by the sun beating down on the shingles.
A whistling is often a cry for help from the furnace or A/C filter. Dirty filters have trouble allowing smooth airflow in and out. The machine will suck in what it can around the filter, creating a whistling sound while it does. This is noticeable when the house is quiet. If that’s not the answer, inspect the window frames. The whistle could be from an incoming draft, where a tighter seal is necessary to silence the noise.
Wildlife Culprits
There are a number of possible wildlife responsible for scratching, scurrying, and other sounds in house wall. If the sound is heard around the same time each day, such as early morning and in the evening, it’s likely squirrels. They keep to a strict schedule and make noise at the same time. Only the type of noise they make will change. Their erratic behaviour means it’s not always the same sound.
Bats are likely to be heard in a wall if they’re stuck. They prefer to live in dark, high areas, such as the upper area of homes, so a scratching noise that sounds like it’s going up and down a wall is likely a bat attempting to crawl up. You’re not likely to hear a raccoon in a wall void, they’re simply too big of a rodent.
Mice and rats, though, are common. Rats are one of the loudest tenants. They’re busy creatures, foraging for food and investigating new environments. You’ll hear them thumping and scratching as they make their way along. Mice aren’t quiet all the time. While less noisy on the move, these critters give themselves away while chewing and digging. If you hear a faint scratching that’s isolated in one area, it’s likely a mouse.
Try the tap test to narrow down what’s making those sounds in house wall. Mice stop chewing immediately, but start up again shortly after. Squirrels, on the other hand, will run away as soon as they hear a tap.
Call for Help
If early signs of wildlife are showing and it’s becoming more than a noise problem, it’s time to call in the professionals. Animals aren’t going anywhere on their own. They’ve established their presence and those sounds in house walls are just one side effect of them being there.
The longer it continues, the more damage rodents can cause. Whether or not you know what animal is back there, call wildlife removal services. They’ll come in, figure out what’s making that noise, and create an effective action plan to get the animals out.
Do you need wildlife removal services? Request a quote today!