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About mid-day today, I was at the computer in my office and thought I heard scratching sounds.
Now, I live in Florida, and every once in a while a gecko or lizard gets in, as well as sometimes we have a bug you could put a leash and collar on and take for a walk. Plus, I have about 6 small boxes in the office yet to be unpacked from when we moved.
So, I listened, then kicked all the boxes, then moved them out of the room. Finally, it was clear, there is some kind of critter in the wall.
This is a two foot section of interior wall, adjoining a doorway, that is perpendicular to the front outside wall.
It also seems that whatever is in the wall is stuck there as the sound once I identified its location has remained the same off and on all day. I realize it could have come in anywhere, but I assume it came in somewhere at the front of the house via the attic down into the wall. Not sure why it is stuck.
I doubt I will be able to get anyone out until Monday.
BTW, I did hear scampering that to me sounds like a mouse. I suppose it could be a squirrel as they frequently also scamper across the roof. I also hear from time to time, a sound I can only describe as something swishing or kind of rubbing against something.
So here are my questions.
How long if this animal is stuck will it take for it to die on its on without water?
Its close to an electrical outlet. Should I trip the breakers and turn off power to the office and adjacent foyer. Slightly concerned if it is trapped around wires it could chew them and start a fire.
Do you agree its logical to assume the critter is trapped since the sound is coming from the same place all day? What in a wall would be trapping it?
Any other advice or anything I can do prior to getting a pro out?
Yes, since the sound has been in the same place it could be trapped. Have you checked your roof, including eves, or your attic for an opening the animal could have gotten into? Do you have tree branches that lean over your roof? Is there any kind of sewer pipe opening on the roof near the wall the sound comes from?
It sounds like it could be almost anything. Rodent, squirrel, snake? Some sort of bees?
I'd get an exterminator since you really don't have a clue what is could be. It's not worth getting bitten.
Yes, since the sound has been in the same place it could be trapped. Have you checked your roof, including eves, or your attic for an opening the animal could have gotten into? Do you have tree branches that lean over your roof? Is there any kind of sewer pipe opening on the roof near the wall the sound comes from?
It sounds like it could be almost anything. Rodent, squirrel, snake? Some sort of bees?
I'd get an exterminator since you really don't have a clue what is could be. It's not worth getting bitten.
Keep us posted.
We checked outside around the roof/eaves and didn't see anything. But, we may have missed something.
The attic is a no go lol. I am unwilling to go into the attic. My ceilings are 12 feet in most of the house except the office and bedrooms which are 9 feet ceilings. In any case, there is very little room to navigate in the attic. My husband is over 6' and has some mobility issues, so I don't want him up their either breathing in mouse poop if its there or losing his balance and punching through the ceiling. And, like I said, I am unwilling to go up there in case there is a snake mainly, but also I have some claustrophia issues and there is not much clearance. Willing to wait and pay a pro to check for holes that need to be fixed.
No trees. Sewer pipe does exit the house in the office, but at the floor, not the roof.
I don't think its a snake, as how would it make the mouse scampering sound. Squirrels down here are pretty scrawny so could be that.
Interestingly, since it got dark, I haven't heard anything. Definitely, I will be calling our pest control service to get them out.
But, that raises the question, if anyone else has dealt with this, how should I expect them to deal with it. What do they do if a varmint is trapped in the lower third of the wall?
It's probably a mouse. You have electrical wires (among other things) running through your wall studs. A mouse can crawl through those holes with very little effort.
It will either find its way back out, or die shortly.
You would be shocked by how many small animal skeletons I've found, in walls, during home renovations. Sorry to say, but it's kind of a given.
It's probably a mouse. You have electrical wires (among other things) running through your wall studs. A mouse can crawl through those holes with very little effort.
It will either find its way back out, or die shortly.
You would be shocked by how many small animal skeletons I've found, in walls, during home renovations. Sorry to say, but it's kind of a given.
OK, doesn't really surprise me, but do I need to be worried about it chewing the wires and starting a fire?
I didn't read all the posts, so you might have already said. But... do you own this office building, or is it rented? If it's rented/leased, you should let the landlord know. As a landlord myself, I know that - technically - this kind of thing is my responsibility.
I didn't read all the posts, so you might have already said. But... do you own this office building, or is it rented? If it's rented/leased, you should let the landlord know. As a landlord myself, I know that - technically - this kind of thing is my responsibility.
I thought we had a mouse in the wall once and it turned out to be a bird! I would just call out a professional to deal with it because you don't know what it is and you don't know what disease it might have!
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