Have you heard a funny noise coming from upper levels of the house lately? You’re probably not hearing things—you could have a mouse problem. Mice are surprisingly vocal creatures in addition to making a number of noisy movements.
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Keep reading to learn more about the sounds mice make in attic.
The Scratching
Mice scratch and scuttle as they move along drywall and floorboards throughout the attic. The sound comes from their nails digging into surfaces for a secure grip. Scratching is one of the most common sounds that mice make in attics, from scurrying across ceilings or moving up and down the walls in your home.
Voids in walls and pockets in ceilings amplify sound, making their presence noticeable. These noises become so deceptively loud in an empty attic that people often mistake them for squirrels.
The Squeaking
If you’ve seen mice at your local pet store, you’ve no doubt heard their squeaking call. Squeaking is their form of communication, and this high-pitched squeak is sometimes referred to as a singing chatter. They use their vocals to express emotion and relay information, such as the location of food and shelter.
Their pitch and frequency change based on the message. For example, when they find food, they’ll sing louder. Of all the sounds mice make in attic, their squeaking is often irritating and a clear reminder it’s time to put a stop to the current invasion.
The Timing
Nighttime is the most common time to hear these noises. Mice are busiest when it’s dark, though they will come out during the day as well. As the house is fairly quiet at night, the lack of background noise gives them the impression they’re alone and able to scurry about. Other likely times to hear mice are during quiet mornings or afternoons, again as the silent home makes them think there’s nobody around. Little movement in the house means they’re more likely to make noise.
They’re also noisiest when searching for food and water, making it easy to hear them shortly before sunrise and shortly after sunset. Pay attention to walls, kitchens, and basements, as these are popular spots. Noises are usually one of the first signs of a mouse in the home. If you think you hear something unusual, don’t ignore it.
The Tapping
While mice make scurrying and scratching noises as they move about in the attic, you can also check walls to determine where they’re moving on their way to and from the nest. The tap test is a good indicator of whether it’s a mouse or another type of wildlife.
When you hear the sound in the wall, gently tap your hand against it. You’ll immediately hear other critters run away. Mice, on the other hand, patiently quiet down for a few seconds, stopping only temporarily before immediately starting up again when they think the threat is gone.
Monitor Your Pets
If you have pets, pay attention to their behaviour. If your pets have been agitated lately, it could be due to mice. Their sensitive hearing leaves them more susceptible to picking up noise from other rodents that humans can’t hear.
Make It Stop!
The only way to stop the sounds mice in attic make is to evict the mice. It’s never just one mouse, it’s usually a few. In addition to the nuisance of their noise, mice bring a host of other problems. They leave behind droppings and urine, damage wires and wood structure, and rip insulation to build nests.
The best way to evict mice is to enlist the help of humane wildlife removal services. Animal removal professionals assess the current situation, execute an eviction plan, handle clean up, and provide preventative measures to ensure mice don’t return.
Do you need wildlife removal services? Request a quote today!