Pests that go bump in the night
Halloween is nearly upon us. With the clocks soon to go back and the dark evenings draw in, you may begin to hear noises that give you sleepless nights. Although something may need to be exorcised, luckily it won’t be anything too spooky, but may be of the pest variety.
This blog explores how to identify what may be hiding in the shadows and what to do if an infestation gives you a fright.
Where pests seek shelter in the winter months
At this time of year, the temperatures begin to plummet and damp weather sets. This results in this being one of the most prevalent times for pests to seek shelter and make their way into homes and businesses.
Searching for food and warmth, the ideal environment is dry, cosy, and quiet spaces, such as lofts and garages. These areas tend to provide all that is needed for the perfect nesting spot, due to being surrounded by materials, such as insulation and cardboard boxes. However, some pests may also be found lurking within kitchen cupboards or within drains.
What pests could be living in your loft
If you’ve heard sounds coming from your loft, the first step to addressing the problem is through identification of the pest.
Typically, the main culprits will be:
How to identify pests from sound alone
Scratching and crawling sounds, in particular from dusk through the night, are most likely from rats or mice. Whereas, squirrels tend to make more of a frantic, thumping sound, which can be during the day or evening. Birds on the other hand, such as pigeons, who have gained entry to your attic are only active, making fluttering sounds during the daylight hours.
Signs to look out for when performing an inspection
If you are dealing with rodents, such as rats and squirrels, there will be clear telltale signs when inspecting the area.
Look for:
- Chewed wiring and gnaw marks on furnishings and boxes.
- Shredded materials to make a nest.
- Damage to insulation or discovering segments in areas where it should not be.
- Droppings. To distinguish what pest these are from, if the droppings are rounded in a light-shade this may be from a squirrel rather than a rat. If smaller in size (about 0.5cm long) this will be from mice.
- Pillars of urine. Grease, dirt and urine will build up into small mounds of 4cm high and 1cm wide if you have an infestation of mice.
- Footprints in dusty areas.
- Entry points where holes have been burrowed through.
Find out more about our rodent control and how to prevent birds nesting from unwanted areas.
What to do if you think you have an infestation
If when performing an inspection you discover an infestation, or if you are still hearing things going bump in the night, then get in touch with our team and we can take those horrors away.
We work 7 days per week, offering effective pest control solutions to keep the area of Nottingham pest-free.