What to Do If You Hear Scratching in Your Walls

You hop into bed, pull up the covers, and turn out the lights, ready to fall asleep – and then you hear it: scratch, scratch, scratch coming from inside the wall. What you do when you hear this scratching is find out what’s causing it. And if it’s pests, then you need to call exterminators right away.

So much for that safe, cozy, sleepy feeling you had just a moment ago. There’s something in your wall that doesn’t belong there. So much for getting a good night’s sleep.

Why do I hear scratching in my walls at night?

If you’re hearing scratching, scurrying, or other noises coming from your walls at night, it’s likely that you have unwanted pests living in your home. These pests could be rodents like mice, rats, or squirrels, or even larger animals like raccoons or bats.

They often seek out the dark, warm, and protected spaces inside your walls to build their nests and raise their young.

Are there pests in my walls?

It is incredibly common for pests (whether insects or rodents) to find their way into the dark, closed spaces of your home, especially when the weather changes or when it is their breeding season.

You may also hear squeaking or chirping noises, and (if they’re in the walls long enough) you will smell urine, feces, and eventually decomposition.

What pests live in walls?

If it creeps, crawls, claws, chews, or digs – almost any pest can find its way into the walls of your home, and it’s usually not alone. Where there’s one, there will likely be more.

Mice and rats are the most common wall-scratchers, followed by squirrels, raccoons, and bats. Sometimes, termites and carpenter ants cause sounds in your walls.

Can rats chew through walls?

Yes, a variety of pests (including rats) can chew through walls. Mice, rats, squirrels, and raccoons are known for their ability to chew their way through wood, drywall, plaster, and other building materials.

Once they’re in the wall, they live, pass waste, breed, and die there, creating a health risk for humans and pets in the household. Even more dangerous, rats and mice often chew on electrical wires – which creates a serious fire risk.

How long can a squirrel live trapped in a wall?

A squirrel trapped in a wall can survive for several days, depending on the circumstances. Without food and water, a trapped squirrel may only survive for a couple of days. If it has access to water and food, it may be able to survive for longer.

How long can a rat survive without food?

In general, a rat can live for up to two weeks without food, provided it has access to water. Rats are resilient creatures and can survive for a surprisingly long time without food.

However, this can vary depending on factors such as the rat’s size, age, and overall health.

How do I get rid of pests in my walls?

Mice or rats can be lured out of the wall, into food-baited traps. Getting rid of larger pests usually requires cutting away a section of drywall and snaring the animals with a catchpole. This type of removal is best left to a wildlife removal professional since these animals may attack when disturbed.

It is particularly ill-advised to attempt to remove raccoons. Bats are also tricky to remove, and almost always require the services of a professional who will cut out a segment of drywall and use a net to capture the unwanted visitors.

When you’re certain all pests have been removed, you will need to find out where they got in, and close up their means of entry – or they will come back.

How to Get a Squirrel Out of Your Wall

If you decide to tackle the problem yourself, here are a few steps you can take:

1. Locate the squirrel’s entry point and seal off any other potential access points.
2. Set up a one-way exclusion door at the entry point, allowing the squirrel to exit.
3. Use humane traps baited with food to capture the squirrel if the exclusion door doesn’t work.
4. Once the squirrel is removed, seal off the entry point and any other potential access points to prevent future infestations.

Getting a squirrel out of your wall can be a challenging task, and it’s often best to call in a professional wildlife removal expert.

Call Us At The First Sign of Infestation

Twin Forks Pest Control has been eliminating pests, including those that find their way into your walls, for more than 13 years. Our trained wildlife experts will rid your property of unwanted pests, and we offer year-round protection plans so that your home stays pest-free.

At the first sign of problems, call us right away for a free service estimate.