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Rodent Noises

Image of a Rodent

What Do Rodents Sound Like?

Members of the rodent family have a lot in common, including the ability to make sounds. Homeowners most often notice rat, mouse, and squirrel sounds, as these pests like to invade homes.

In fact, rodent noises coming from the attic, walls, or subfloor may be a sign of infestation.

Vocal Noises

Rodents usually live in large groups or nests indoors. To communicate with each other, rats, mice, and squirrels make a number of sounds.

  • Squeaking and chirping - Used during grooming or to get the attention of other rodents, these sounds signal socialization.

  • Shrieking, hissing, and chattering - Residents usually hear these aggressive, hostile rodent noises when the pests fight in the attic or walls.
  • Teeth grinding - Also called bruxing, these repetitive grinding noises usually indicate a happy rat or mouse.

Movement Sounds

The pests also make plenty of noise as they travel from one area of the house to another. Residents who hear these rodent sounds coming from the walls or ceiling may have a pest problem.

  • Scratching and scampering - Rats, mice, and squirrels have tiny claws that scrape against wood as they move.

  • Bumping and thumping - When rodents fight, residents might hear loud, sudden thuds.
  • Chewing and gnawing - Because rodent teeth never stop growing, the pests need to wear them down by chewing. Any hard surface with a little bit of give, like wood or plastic, is a target.

Can Noises Help Identify Rodents?

Whether communicating or on the move, rats, mice, and squirrels make many similar noises. However, homeowners who note the timing of rodent sounds may be able to identify an infestation.

Squirrels are alert and awake during the day, while rats and mice become active around dusk.

Damage & Removal

Rodent noises in the walls or attic may suggest larger problems. Chewing sounds might mean that the pests are gnawing on support beams or wires, which can be dangerous for residents.

Violent scratching noises or repeated calls may indicate that an animal is stuck in a wall void. Trapped rodents often starve, creating a foul smelling, difficult clean-up. Contact Critter Control at the first sign of rodent sounds for quick rat, mouse, or squirrel removal.

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