What just woke you up at 3 am? Was it a bird? A possum? A rat? In the dead of the night, scratching or tapping noises from the roof can make it difficult to sleep. No matter what it was, that scratching noise in your roof was both annoying and worrying – but you’re not alone. Hearing scurrying and scratching in roof spaces is common the world over, but especially here in Australia.
The only thing that causes night time noises is the presence of pests. Let’s look at the nocturnal, creepy, feathery or furry creatures who make that annoying scratching sound that keeps you awake. We’ll also explain more about the critters, their activities and how to make it stop!
Why am I hearing noises in my roof at night?
First things first: why do you only hear scratching sounds at night? The answer is surprisingly simple. First, your home is a hive of activity during the day, so you simply don’t hear those critters quite so easily. It is also difficult to hear noises in the roof if you are not home during the day, leading you to conclude that noises only rise at night. Some of these creatures can be active during the day, but usually the culprits may either be nocturnal or they just feel emboldened when everything goes dark and quiet.
Either way, strange noises in ceilings and roof spaces are not something to panic about – but it’s not something to ignore, either. That scratching in the roof may seem fairly harmless but don’t forget that pests carry diseases, they chew through your wires and insulation, and … they just plain stink!
Identifying Pest Sounds In Roofs & Ceilings
So what sort of creepy, crawly, furry or feathery pests are we talking about, exactly? According to the team at Dale’s Pest Control, scratching noises in the roof are often a sign of rats, possums, or even birds nesting. Each make different noises and signs to help identify the pests involved. “It’s crucial to address the issue early to prevent structural damage or health risks associated with pest infestations,” they advise. For professional pest control services in Brisbane Northside, they recommend a thorough inspection to identify and resolve the problem efficiently.
1. Bird Noises In Roof
Unfortunately for us, birds seem to love calling our safe, protected and comfy roof spaces home. Their activity is most intense at dawn and dusk. And even if you love watching your feathered friends fly about outside, there’s no doubt about it: at least 60 known diseases are spread via bird droppings. They also attract and spread fleas and mites … yech!
2. Possum Noises In Roof
Just about all of us find possums cute and iconically Australian, but you don’t want a family of them to move in above your bedroom. They’re known as the pest that keeps us the most wide-awake at night – and that possum in roof sound may not just be an annoying scratching, but a loud screeching, grunting, growling and hissing! They won’t spare your vegetable garden or fruit trees either. These signs are indicative that there may be more than one possum on your roof. Possums also smell – but not as bad as when their corpse starts rotting, so it’s time to have a possum ethically removed long before then.
3. Rat And Mice Noises In Roof
Possums may be cute, but rodents definitely aren’t – especially when you have rats or mice in your roof! If the scratching noise in your roof is accompanied by the rapid pitter-patter of feet, or a distinctive squeaking or nibbling, you probably have a rat or mouse problem – and up to 10% of all house fires are caused by one of these dirty, disease-carrying pests chewing through a wire. To facilitate their entry and exit, they will make large holes and openings around your roof. So if bacteria, parasites and an influx of insects attracted by droppings sound like bad news, call your trusted rodent pest controller today and evict your rat tenants immediately!
4. Wasp Noises In Roof
The chances are high that, if you do hear noises in your roof space, one of the three culprits listed above is to blame. But believe it or not, you might also be hearing the tapping and buzzing of a nest of wasps – and that’s not good news for your beloved family.
Could It Be Unrelated To Pests?
The scratching sounds may also be caused by tree branches hitting your roof, especially in windy conditions. If you suspect that the wasps are responsible, call a pest control professional. If the tree branches are to blame, it’s time to get out the gardener or a local arborist to prune the trees.
What do these scratching sounds mean?
Let’s now look at the consequences. You might have thought that these critters “cannot do much”. This is a good time to rethink your opinion.
- Damages Roof spaces will be damaged by these roof-dwelling insects over time. You will see them chewing on your pipes, wood and wires or causing damage to the whole structure by their incessant movements. You would have to replace damaged household services. In rare cases, chewed or exposed wires could cause a fire.
- Diseases Invasion: Birds can carry mites and fleas. It is only a matter of time before they invade your home. Rodents can also bring in bacteria, parasites and eventually diseases. What’s more? These pests’ droppings can cause serious infestations.
- Unpleasant Odours: Droppings may smell bad, but it isn’t as severe as the smell that comes with rotten or dying pests.
It is important to address any scratching sounds on your roof as soon as possible. Professional pest controllers are the best tradesmen to hire for your safety and the best results. They will likely conduct a house inspection to detect signs of termite activity in the early stages. This will save you even more hassle.
What to do about scratching noise in roof?
No matter what’s going on above your head while you’re trying to peacefully sleep at night, you need to take steps to stop the sounds of pests. You need to first identify the type of roof pests inhabiting your roof and then make a plan to either eradicate them or prevent their access. For best results, bring in professional pest controllers near you; these experts will provide a thorough house inspection (like checking for signs of termite activity) and risk assessment at your home, thus saving you from trouble.
Ignoring the pests in your roof can come back to bite you – so get a quote today for Brisbane pest control, Sydney pest control, Melbourne pest control or beyond!
