Noises in the roof (Houston: inspection, garage, yard)

[hulio82]

Hi guys, need some advice here. we've been hearing some scratching noises from our roof. So definitely something in there, but the problem is the part of the roof where the noises are coming from is pretty much inaccessible.

I have our local pest control vendor scheduled to come up but trying to figure out what else we can do?

So far, i have only heard the noises during the late morning..10 - 12 am. Also, i did find clumps of insulation in our yard. I'm guessing its a bird trying to build a nest, but at this point it could be any rodent. we don't hear any noises (e.g., squeaks, or chirps).

I'm concerned that whatever is there isn't damaging the roof. I'm going to have our roofer come out too to do an inspection.

thanks in advance!

[SugLandDAd]

Squirrel or rats is more likely. you can try a trap either a "have a heart" for squirrels or the traditional spring types for rats..I would avoid poison at this point because of the possibility of having them die up there and causing a stink for the few months until they mummify.

[vwgto]

If heard during the day, most likely squirrels. Need to trap and seal-up the openings, if they have gained entry. I think they also have a mechanism that allows the squirrel to exit, but not get back in - - then seal.

[Oskar_Z28]

Rats.... kill em using standard traps. I had to cut access to get to inaccessible area in my house. Set a dozen traps and kept re-baiting them over time. Killed 3 of them within 1st couple days, then nothing. Noises stopped. They were coming from a detached garage across the walkway cover and ended up between the 1st and 2nd floor. Ended up sealing the possible entrance too.

Don't use poison.

[Cabot]

Please don't use glue traps either! They are just downright cruel.

[Thoreau424]

I remember hearing noises at night on the roof many years ago, and used a flashlight. I want to say it was a raccoon or opossum. I highly doubt rats, and am skeptical about squirrels as a possibility. Whatever it is, it will probably eventually go away as it warms up. They're probably mostly seeking an inside location during the cooler months.

[Sollaces]

We had mice and set out mouse traps in the attic above the garage. The mice come in during cold weather.


You could check branches scraping your roof. You could check to see your gutters are all set down and tight. I walk our dogs late at night and I've heard many gutters rattling when the wind picks up.


I hope it's not a bat. Stay away from those.

[dejamiller]

Probably rats.

[vwgto]

Originally Posted by Thoreau424

I remember hearing noises at night on the roof many years ago, and used a flashlight. I want to say it was a raccoon or opossum. I highly doubt rats, and am skeptical about squirrels as a possibility. Whatever it is, it will probably eventually go away as it warms up. They're probably mostly seeking an inside location during the cooler months.

You do not want any kind of animal in your attic, and they are not likely to leave on their own once in. Roof rats are very common in Houston and squirrels, of course, are everywhere. It is not something I would ignore.

[Reek]

thanks guys! Our local pest control guy came out and couldn't really tell what it was but suspected rats and setup traps and a bait station outside. going to seal the openings and also have our roofer come out to check out to roof to make sure no holes/gaps are present.