You’re lying in bed, the house is quiet, and then you hear it — a scratching, scurrying, thumping sound coming from above your head. If you’ve got noise in your attic, you almost certainly have an uninvited animal guest.
The good news: you found the right place. AtticNoise.com helps homeowners across the country identify what’s living in their attic and connect with a professional wildlife removal expert who can get it out — humanely, safely, and permanently.
Find a Wildlife Removal Expert Near You
What Animal Is Making That Noise?
Different animals make different sounds at different times of day. Here’s how to identify your uninvited guest:
Scratching or Scurrying Sounds
Fast, light scurrying sounds — especially during the day — are almost always squirrels. They’re active in the morning and late afternoon, and love to nest in attics during fall and winter. At night, the same sounds are more likely to be rats or mice, which are nocturnal. Raccoons tend to make heavier, slower thumping sounds as they move around.
Thumping or Heavy Footsteps
If it sounds like someone walking around up there, you’re probably dealing with a raccoon. Raccoons are surprisingly large and heavy, and their footsteps are unmistakable. Mother raccoons often make a denning site in attics to raise their young in spring.
Fluttering or Squeaking at Dusk
If the sounds happen right around sunset and you sometimes see small dark shapes darting around outside, you likely have bats. Bats are the only flying mammal and often roost in large colonies in attics. They enter through gaps as small as a quarter inch.
Chattering or Vocal Sounds
Raccoons are vocal animals and will sometimes chatter, growl, or even cry — especially juveniles. Squirrels also make sharp barking sounds. If you’re hearing vocal noises, raccoons or squirrels are the most likely culprits.
Sounds in the Walls
Scratching or gnawing sounds inside the walls (not just the attic) usually indicate rats or mice. They’re small enough to travel through wall cavities and often chew on wiring and insulation as they go — which is a serious fire hazard.
Why You Need to Act Quickly
A wildlife problem in your attic is never ‘just an annoyance.’ Left alone, animals cause serious damage:
- Chewed electrical wiring — a leading cause of house fires
- Destroyed insulation — causing energy bills to spike
- Structural damage to wood, drywall, and roofing
- Contamination from urine and droppings — including dangerous pathogens
- More animals — one animal in the attic often means more are coming
The longer you wait, the worse — and more expensive — the problem gets. Most wildlife removal companies offer free inspections, so there’s no reason to put it off.
Our Nationwide Network of Wildlife Removal Experts
AtticNoise.com partners with AAAC Wildlife Removal — one of the most trusted nuisance wildlife removal networks in the country, with over 2,500 five-star reviews and locations across 17 states.
- Prompt, polite, and professional service
- Humane trapping and removal — no poisons
- Full damage repair and attic restoration
- Decontamination and insulation replacement
- Permanent exclusion — keeping them out for good
- Free inspections at most locations
Wildlife We Remove
Our network handles all nuisance wildlife. Click any animal to learn more:
- Raccoons — attic nesters, very destructive
- Squirrels — chew wiring, highly active during the day
- Bats — colony roosters, legal considerations apply
- Rats & Rodents — wall and attic dwellers, fire risk
- Birds & Pigeons — roof nesters, mess and noise
- Opossums — under porches, crawl spaces, attics
- All other nuisance wildlife
Hearing something? Find your local expert and get a free inspection →