Creaking sounds aren’t typical for lofts in newly-built households—possibly even in old houses, either. However, it’s almost a chilling experience to wake up in the middle of the night hearing thumps and thuds from the loft, especially knowing that all that’s in there are old items pushed by time.
Despite the scares, hearing noises from the upper part of your house, no matter the time of day, could be a sign of pest infestation. The loft can serve as a warm and cosy place to stay for the night, including wild animals looking for shelter in the cold.
Therefore, it’s best to call pest control services right away. Here are some of the most common pests you can encounter in your loft and the best way to remove them.
1. Squirrels
If the sounds occur early in the morning or later in the evening, a squirrel might be living above you. Their noise can be described as loud running sounds and a mix between scratches and chewing noise. They are dangerous as they can chew on wood, which can affect the house’s structural integrity. During the rainy seasons, a squirrel infestation can lead to multiple leaks in the ceiling or roof.
The best thing to do is to contain them in the attic. Never let them go into the living spaces as they could harm the people living in the home. Meanwhile, avoid using pesticides on them as it is an inhumane way to remove them from your property. Instead, trap them in cages by luring them using several pieces of food. To prevent them from coming back, make sure to close holes in the loft and trim the trees around the area to keep them away for long.
2. Mice
A group of mice may produce the same scratching sounds that squirrels do. However, people can also hear nibbling sounds and tiny movements from time to time. Although they’re less harmful than squirrels, it’s still best to trap them in the attic until the commercial pest control company comes.
For a do-it-yourself household entrapment, you can use mouse traps and rat poison to try and remove them from above the house. However, it would help to locate the remains of the pests right after they die to prevent them from developing a foul odour.
3. Rats
Rats are common pests and often sound more active compared to the two pests mentioned as they scurry on the floor of the loft day and night. Sometimes, they even gnaw on things louder than mice. However, rats only stay in one place most of the time, so the sounds often only come from one area of the loft.
Moreover, rats are bigger than mice. Therefore, the standard size for mouse traps might not work for catching them. The best way to get rid of rats is by hiring a professional exterminator that will handle all the work for you.
Common pests: Wrapping Up
Other wild animals can become pests in the loft. Meanwhile, insects can also invade a space and make it a place of their own. But overall, you can easily avoid pests in households as long as the homeowners will keep an eye out on possible entrances and exits, like holes and broken windows where the animals can enter. By keeping those openings closed, there is no way pests can live and survive in the loft.
Arnies Pest Management is a commercial pest control company based in Barnsley. Our systematised Barnsley pest control services help our clients get rid of pests and move on with their lives. Check out our services on the website and schedule an appointment right away!
Recent Comments