Wake County, Raleigh Rat Control Situation:
How can I tell if I have rats or mice hanging out in my walls/attic? We haven't found any signs of anything getting into the main part of the house, but every once in a while we hear them scurrying around in one spot. We only hear them in the evening, and we haven't heard them very often (tonight is the first time I have noticed them in two weeks, but I'm also not home every evening). First we thought it was mice, but I am starting to worry that they might be rodents nesting for the winter. I checked outside and couldn't find any visible entry points, nor any footprints on the roof. I also looked under the roof overhang on that side of the house and there are no holes there. I can't tell if I am hearing squirrel chirping or mouse squeaking--it's almost a squeak-like chirp (real helpful, I know). If we can't find any holes for them to get in, it makes me think mice, but if we haven't seen any signs of them in the house and only hear them in one spot, it makes me think squirrels. Whatever it is has had access to this spot for quite some time, so if they are rats, I think we need to act ASAP, as per the damage reports I've seen on websites. Any and all advice you have to diagnose what we are dealing with would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for your help! - Kristin
My response: Sounds like mouse or rat activity to me. Squirrels are active in the daytime, and people usually hear a lot of morning noise. If you inspect the attic, you can tell by the droppings left behind.
Raleigh Rat Control Tip of The Week
What Sounds Do Rats Make?
We all know that particular rat sound that irritates us so much. This may be the best sign that there is something strange going on at home. You must act immediately or these rodents could take over more and more territory in your home and even start multiplying, which would increase the chances of hearing these annoying sounds all over the house.
When it comes to rats, there are different types of sounds you might hear. These sounds are their only form of communication.
Are Rats' Sounds Different For Every Situation?
Rats' senses of hearing and smell are better developed. This allows them to perceive objects around them more easily, and decipher whether they pose a threat or not. Some of the sounds rats emit are:- The recognizable squeak: rats have a way of communicating that can be irritating to the human ear. This is a really high-pitched sound used to communicate with each other. These sounds are emitted during sexual reproduction and in threatening situations. These squeaks can be short, long, or intermittent, depending on the situation they are experiencing and their acuity will also depend on the level of threat.
- Another noise these rodents make is the grinding of their teeth. Rats only do this when they feel happy, as their tail moves and jumps.
- Finally, we can't forget a loud sound that might sound like teeth grinding; a chattering sound they make when they're angry, usually when they feel threatened and are about to attack.
Animals have a unique way of responding to different situations, whether it is joy, anger, fear, or pain. Rats are not an exception; they can make sounds for any type of situation. It is important to consider what sounds a rat makes when it is upset or threatened, this could avoid any type of accident, like a bite.
