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Noises in the attic

Scurrying and scraping noises from the attic not only cause distress and anxiety but are also a strong indication that rodents or other wildlife have taken up residence in your roof space.

Attics are the perfect environment for squirrels and rodents. Rodents can do significant damage to items stored in your attic while their constant gnawing can damage the fabric of your home and can even be a fire hazard if electric cabling is gnawed.

The cause of the noise should be investigated as soon as possible because the nests and droppings from these pests become ideal breeding sites for insects which then carry disease into your home.

The first step is to inspect your attic and look for visible signs of habitation by rodents or other wildlife, the most common of which are their droppings.

Identifying pests droppings

  • Mouse Droppings: Thin and spindle shaped with a pointed end about 5mm long
  • Brown Rat Droppings: Blunt spindle shaped averaging 1½ to 2cm
  • Black Rat Droppings: Pointed sausage shape average length 1½ cm
  • Squirrel Droppings: Similar to the Brown Rat droppings but slightly rounder and 1½ to 2cms in length
  • Bat Droppings: Dark brown or black and 4-8mm long. Bat droppings are similar to mouse droppings but crumble into a fine powder when crushed.

How to get rid of mice in the attic

If not treated, a mouse infestation can quickly take hold and the first line of defence is to proof your attic against their re-entry.

Rentokil provides a professional service for controlling mice.

Click here to learn more about Mice in your home and for information about DIY and Professional Mouse Control in your home.

Rats in the attic

It is extremely serious if rats are getting into your home even if not in a direct living area. Any rat problem inside the home must be treated urgently.

Rentokil offers a wide range of rat control products for amateur as well as the services of our fully trained pest control Technicians.

Proofing your loft space against re-entry is an effective way of preventing rats from returning to your attic but you need to eradicate the infestation first.

Click here to learn more about Rats in your home and for information about both DIY and Professional Rat Control in your home.

How to get rid of squirrels in the attic

If squirrels get into your loft, they can cause significant damage from chewing and gnawing on wood and electrical cables.

Squirrels can be removed from your property by catching them in squirrel traps. It is possible for the amateur to do this, although take great care when handling cages with live squirrels as they are likely to bite and scratch. However, professional pest control is generally recommended to deal with squirrels in the home.

One key reason for professional treatment of grey squirrels is that they outcompete native populations of red squirrel in the wild. For this reason once caught in a cage, the grey squirrel may be released or destroyed humanely depending on the situation. In contrast, red squirrels must be released immediately back into the wild.

Professional treatment of grey squirrels may also involve the use of mechanical traps or baiting with rodenticides. These are very effective methods but must be applied by appropriately trained Technicians.

As well as removing squirrels, it is essential to proof your home against squirrels to stop them re-entering. This may include cutting branches off trees overhanging your property that squirrels use to access the attic.

If you would like further advice about squirrels in your loft or to arrange a visit from a Rentokil Technician, call us at 877-690-2115 or contact us online.

How to get rid of birds in the attic

Pigeons or other birds in the attic are a problem because of the mess and health risks of their droppings as well as the noise of cooing and flapping wings.

Birds should be removed and the entry points into your loft should be proofed using chicken wire or a solid barrier. It is also possible to proof the exterior of your building from pigeons and other birds using spikes, wire systems or netting.

To remove birds, it may be possible to scare them away, but bird removal is likely to require professional trapping or baiting.

Rentokil are the experts in all forms of bird control, so if you would like further advice or to arrange a visit from a Rentokil Technician, call us at 877-690-2115 of use our online form.

What to do about bats in the attic

Bats are protected as an endangered species in Canada and it is an offence to try to kill or remove bats or to change or block their roosts.

Even if bats have left your attic, it is still an offence to block the roost - bats return to the same place every year and so even empty bat roosts are protected.

If you are aware that bats are roosting in your attic, you should consult with The National Parks and Wildlife before carrying out remedial timber treatments, insect control or rodent control that may cause harm to bats.

If you would like further advice about a bat problem or to arrange a visit from a Rentokil Technician, call us at 877-690-2115 or fill in the online form.

Insect infestations in your attic

An insect infestation in your attic is likely to be caused by them attacking something stored in your loft such as food, textiles or wood or they may be living off the droppings of another pest in the loft such as those listed above.

Deep cleaning and the use of amateur insecticides will help to keep insects under control but you may require professional treatment to eradicate the infestation.

Rentokil has the right solution for you. Find out more about how to deal with particular insects you may find in your loft:

  • Moths and their caterpillars attacking clothes 
  • Woodworm boring into wood 
  • Occasional invaders

Why Rentokil?

No other company can match our expertise in dealing with any pest problem in the home. We deal with the problem and help to ensure it does not come back.

With our scale, we are always local to you. Our service is fast, effective and offers the highest level of safety for your family and pets.

So if you are concerned that you may have a pest problem and would like to arrange a visit from your local Rentokil Technician or would just like further advice, please contact us by using our online contact form or call us on 877-690-2115.

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