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What is making noise in my attic at night?

If you hear scratching, scurrying, or thumping above your ceiling, the sound itself is the biggest clue. Here's how Tampa Bay homeowners can tell which animal is in the attic — and what to do next.

Call (813) 638-6017Free inspection

First clue: when do you hear it?

At night? Most likely raccoons, rats, mice, bats, or opossums. During the day? Almost always squirrels or birds. Note the time and how long the sound lasts — it narrows the list fast.

Identify by sound

Raccoons

Dusk to dawn
Sound
Heavy thumping, dragging, loud scratching
Telltale sign
Sounds like a small child walking above the ceiling. Often near soffits, roof returns, or chimneys.
Other clues
Trash cans knocked over, holes in soffits, droppings on the roof.
Learn about raccoons removal →

Rats & Mice

Most active after dark
Sound
Light, fast scurrying; scratching inside walls; faint squeaking
Telltale sign
Quick bursts of running across the ceiling, then silence. Often follows the same path every night.
Other clues
Droppings under sinks or in the pantry, chewed wires or food packaging, a musky smell.
Learn about rats & mice removal →

Squirrels

Daytime — especially early morning and late afternoon
Sound
Scampering, rolling (acorns), persistent chewing
Telltale sign
Active when you are. Often heard running along the roof line before entering the attic.
Other clues
Chewed soffits or vents, nesting material, squirrels seen on the roof.
Learn about squirrels removal →

Bats

Dusk (leaving) and just before sunrise (returning)
Sound
High-pitched chirping or squeaking, soft flapping or fluttering
Telltale sign
Sound comes from one concentrated area, usually near a gable vent or eave. You may see bats flying around the roof at dusk.
Other clues
Dark staining around entry points, guano (droppings) below, ammonia smell.
Learn about bats removal →

Birds

Daytime, loudest at dawn
Sound
Chirping, flapping, scratching in vents or soffits
Telltale sign
Concentrated near vents, eaves, or chimneys. Often paired with visible nesting material.
Other clues
Nests in dryer or bathroom vents, droppings on the exterior wall.
Learn about birds removal →

Opossums

Night
Sound
Slow, heavy shuffling; occasional hissing
Telltale sign
Heavier than a rat but slower and quieter than a raccoon. Usually a single animal, not a family.
Other clues
Strong odor, droppings on the property, sightings at night.
Learn about opossums removal →

Don't wait it out — here's why

  • Chewed wiring is a fire risk. Rats and squirrels chew constantly, and electrical fires from rodent damage are more common than most homeowners realize.
  • Droppings carry disease. Raccoon roundworm, leptospirosis, hantavirus, and histoplasmosis from bat guano are all real risks in Florida attics.
  • Damaged insulation costs money. Compressed and contaminated insulation drives up your power bill until it's replaced.
  • They invite more. Pheromones in droppings attract more wildlife to the same entry point — the problem rarely solves itself.

What to do next

  1. 1
    Note the details
    Time of day, type of sound, how long it lasts, and which part of the ceiling it's coming from. All of this helps us identify the species fast.
  2. 2
    Don't go up there
    Attic wildlife is unpredictable, and droppings can be a health hazard. Stay out until a professional inspects.
  3. 3
    Call for a free inspection
    We'll identify the animal, find the entry points, and walk you through humane removal, sealing, and cleanup.

Hearing something right now?

We're available 24/7 across Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties — and we can usually be on-site within the hour.

(813) 638-6017Request a free estimate