Attic Animals and Their Antics!

I guess it's pretty safe to say that not many people like critters rustling about in their attics and ceilings while they're trying to get some shuteye, am I right? In fact, it can be nothing short of enraging when you're trying to sleep but all you can hear is that incessant gnawing! Gadz!

There are several species out of which one or more are most likely the culprit/s. Of course, your geographic location can change the list of suspects somewhat, but in any case, there are a few universally key figures in the "attic migration" business. I'll attempt to name these:

Field mice
Rats
Squirrels
Raccoons
Birds
Snakes
Bats.

This is not a comprehensive list by any means, but it may give you an idea of what you're up against. There may very likely be an animal that's not on the list but that's native to your particular area, and just so happens to be very prevalent. It may help to do a bit of research on this. You should know that even a small animal's foot steps can seem very loud depending on the structure of your house. Thin ceilings that are made out of only a sheet of paneling or some sheetrock can amplify the foot steps significantly and make it sound like a larger animal.

There happen to be a lot a' field mice right around where I live, and I can hear them every now and then above my ceiling as well. These mice are only as big as my thumb but in the dead of the night they can sound like a herd a' antelope! So don't freak out too much thinking you have a wolverine in your attic, as it's most likely just a raccoon or even a tiny field mouse. But it is wise to find out what you have up there and deal with it appropriately. Who knows, you just might have that colony of beavers living right out of your attic! Animals present a wide array of potential dangers and damages to your home including gnawing away at your structural posts as well as electrical wiring! Wow, that changes things doesn't it? I mean, the rascally rodent probably zapped his naughty arse to kingdom come but if your house burns down because of it, it won't be so funny then!

Not to mention the gnawing of your structural beams and pillars can over time, pose a reasonable threat to the integrity of your building as well. Another annoying trick these animals have up their sleeves is staining your ceiling tiles with their excrement. Being that they are in essence living right on the other side of your ceiling, any waste matter, liquid or otherwise, will follow the course of gravity. This often results in an extremely repugnant stain on the underside of your ceiling.

Various diseases these animals are known to carry pose another significant threat. Rabies, mange, and salmonella are just a few of the nasty diseases these animals carry. Do not get within biting range of these animals without protection, and if in doubt as to how to handle these creatures, get professional assistance!

In conclusion, you should attempt to locate the entrance points that the animals are using to access your lovely home, and seal them. Animals aren't exactly the smoothest of criminals and will blatantly leave "evidence" such as hair, droppings, foot prints, skins, bones, nest-building material, etc, and you can use these bits of information to identify the animal and locate their points of entrance.

You may very well have to seal up multiple holes so don't assume your job's finished after the first one. Places like under the roof eaves and cracked or broken crawl-space vents, as well as any vents in general, are all prime entrance points for critters! Once you locate the entrance points, stake them out with a pair of binoculars for the money shot. Depending on what you have on your hands, you may want to call for professional assistance. Do what you can but call for the pros if you feel you're in over your head!

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