Things that Go Bump in the Night …

Whilst Halloween has been and gone, some people are facing a real fear that wildlife may be living in their attic. At Avon Pest Control, we receive a high frequency of enquiries from worried homeowners who have heard noises emanating from their loft space.

As the colder weather tempts pests indoors seeking warmth and shelter, attics can be ideal environments as they tend to be cosy, dry, and are often rarely entered by humans. They may also contain optimal nesting materials such as insulation.

What is Living in My Loft?

Identification is the first step towards addressing your pest problem. In the UK, the prime suspects are birds  and rodents, such as squirrels, rats, and mice.

• Bird signs: you will hear bird vocals and flapping noises. If you enter your attic, you will find bird droppings. Be careful as droppings can pose a health risk.
• Rat signs: you may hear scratching and crawling sounds. Droppings are around 1 ½ cm in length
• Mice signs: you may hear light scratching and gnawing noises. Droppings are smaller than rats, at about ½ cm long
• Squirrel signs: you will hear quite a lot of activity, including frantic thumping sounds. Droppings look similar to rat excrement but are slightly bigger.

Rats and mice are nocturnal, meaning you are most likely to hear activity from dusk, through the night until dawn. Squirrels can be active during daytime and nighttime but are usually heard early in the morning and later in the evening. Pest birds such as pigeons are diurnal, meaning they are only active during daylight hours.

At Avon Pest Control we have expert knowledge of pests and pest behaviour and are able to identify the species of your unwanted loft guests by entering your loft space and examining droppings, nests and sites of damage.

Removal

DIY pest removal is not recommended for several reasons. Tackling pests involves risk, either from the pest itself, their droppings, and/or their location (often high up in difficult to reach spaces).

Knowledge of how to properly and humanely handle each different species is crucial, as is knowledge of UK law, e.g., all birds, their nests and eggs are protected under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act, and only “authorised persons” may remove specific birds and their nests under certain circumstances. It is therefore advisable to contact a professional pest control company to unsure safe legal removal of your pest problem.

Loft Decontamination and Repair

At Avon Pest Control, we go beyond pest removal, ensuring we decontaminate your loft area and replace any damaged materials such as insulation.

Prevention

After your space is sanitary and repaired, Avon Pest Control can install the most appropriate preventative measures to minimise the possibility of pests re-entering your property.

Act Quickly!

If you have heard noises in your loft, it is advisable to act quickly. Rodents gnaw on materials which can damage stored items, ruin insulation and can cause fire hazards if electrical cables are bitten. Additionally, pests and their nests can attract insects which may find their way into your home presenting a secondary pest problem.

If you are worried that pests have moved into your attic, call Avon Pest Control today on 01926 632 929 or 01789 293 463 to speak to a member of our team. Let us deal with your pest problem for you. We can solve your pest problem safely and professionally.