What Do Rats in the Attic Sound Like?
Do you want to know if the sound coming from your attic is that of a rat?
Before we talk about the ‘sounds,’ it is important to first discuss the basic question –
What Do Rats Do in Your Attic?
Rodents such as rats and mice have sharp teeth that never stop growing.
So, how do rats deal with this problem?
Well, they put their teeth to work.
Driven by an instinct to file down their teeth, rats keep chewing or gnawing on wood, walls, plastic, fabrics, etc.
Once inside a warm shelter such as an attic, rats keep visiting it, even if they are yet to build a nest.
Rats can breed fast once they have nests to live in and food to nibble on.
They build nests with nesting material readily available in most attics. Rats are okay with anything from paper and cardboard boxes to upholstery fabrics, clothes, mattresses, pillows, and even thin plastics.
The longer they stay on your property, the larger is the risk of costly damages and diseases.
Early detection of a possible rat infestation is quite helpful.
You can call in rat control specialists early on and they can fix the problem for good.
What Do Rats In The Attic Sound Like?
Some rodents such as rats and mice are nocturnal. They come out at night.
You may sometimes hear scratching noises if you are up late studying, reading, or browsing the Internet.
In fact, rats make a lot of noise in the attic.
On occasions, if the rat infestation is severe, and the loft is directly above your bedroom, you may find rats in the loft keeping you awake.
If you are familiar with the sound of your refrigerator, kettle, HVAC system, and other common appliances, it’s easy to detect ‘unfamiliar’ sounds coming from your loft.
Rats run around the attic many times, especially during the night.
So, you may hear the sound of rats scurrying along a wall or nibbling on something.
What if your attic remains closed for several days at a stretch? Can you notice the sound of a rat in the attic during the day?
Well, you won’t probably notice a feeble scratching or gnawing sound during the day.
At night, when it’s really quiet, noticing such unfamiliar sounds is much easier.
Do Rats Make Vocal Sounds in the Attic?
Some people wonder whether rats make any vocal sounds.
Rodents such as rats, mice, and squirrels do make a number of vocalizations.
However, most of their vocalizations, including chirping, squeaking, and chattering happen on frequencies that humans can’t pick up.
How Do Other Animals Sound in the Attic In Comparison to Rats?
Are you wondering whether you have a rat, bird, squirrel, or wasp in your attic?
It’s possible to discern whether the sound coming from your attic is that of a rat or not.
With birds, you will hear vocals and flapping. Squirrels produce scratching and vocal sounds. In the case of wasps, you will hear a buzzing sound.
Remember, if it’s a rat or mouse, you will notice the sound of scratching or gnawing.
On occasions when you visit the attic, you may notice the sound of a rat hurriedly escaping into a hiding place.
What Other Signs Can Confirm the Presence of Rats in the Attic?
Sounds are among the first signs of a possible rodent infestation.
You can further investigate the attic to confirm whether you have an unwelcome guest on your property.
No, you won’t find a rat sleeping in a corner.
You need to look for the physical signs of a rodent infestation. Look for their droppings, urine marks, or nesting material (e.g. shredded fabrics).
If there are any stored items in your attic, check if there are any gnaw marks on the frames. You can also search for gnaw marks on the insulation and plumbing. Use a flashlight for a closer examination.
Food containers or packets, if any, will have chew marks for sure.
You can also check if there are any gaps or crevices 0.25” or larger that could let in a rat. You need to seal up any potential entryways to keep rats out of your attic.
Final Words
If rats get into your home, consider it a serious matter, even if they are not in a living area. The infestation can grow severe in no time.
Rats keep exploring, looking for opportunities to gain access to other areas of the house. They can widen a small hole, gap, or crevice if they can smell ‘food’ through it.
While you can try closing any large gaps and cleaning up the attic (you should), there are no guarantees that you won’t hear a rat in the attic again.
The smartest and safest way to remove rats from your attic is to call in rodent control experts.