Something Is Moving Around Up There
You hear it at 6 a.m., or right after the lights go out: scratching, thumping, or scurrying above the ceiling. Attic pests in Dallas are one of the most common calls we get, and the first question is always the same. What is up there?
It matters, because squirrels, rats, and raccoons get in through different places, cause different damage, and need very different removal plans.
How to Tell What You Are Hearing
Squirrels
- When: Daytime, heaviest at sunrise and again before dusk. If the noise stops at night, think squirrel.
- Sound: Fast scurrying, light scampering, and sometimes a rolling sound as they move nuts and acorns around.
- How they got in: Roofline gaps, damaged soffits, gable vents, and tree limbs hanging over the roof.
Rats
- When: After dark, especially the first few hours after the house goes quiet.
- Sound: Scratching and gnawing, and quick movement through wall voids as well as the attic.
- Other clues: Small dark droppings, chewed cardboard or insulation, and greasy smudge marks along beams and pipes where they run the same path every night.
Raccoons
- When: Night, with a lot of activity right at dusk when they leave and again near dawn.
- Sound: Heavy and slow. Thumping and dragging rather than scurrying. You may also hear chittering or growling, especially if there are young in the attic.
- How they got in: Torn soffits, pried vent covers, and pulled-up shingles. Raccoons make their own opening, so the damage is usually obvious from the ground.
Why an Attic Problem Is Not a Wait-and-See Problem
Whatever is up there is doing more than making noise:
- Chewed wiring. Rodents gnaw constantly, and attic wiring is an easy target.
- Ruined insulation. Nesting, droppings, and urine flatten and contaminate it, which shows up on your energy bill.
- Bacteria and parasites. Wild animals bring in fleas, mites, and disease-carrying waste.
- An open door. An entry point left unsealed invites the next animal in, even after the first one is gone.
Why This One Is Worth Calling In
Trapping alone does not solve an attic problem. Our approach is to identify the animal, remove it, seal the entry point so nothing chews back in through the same spot, and disinfect the affected area. It also matters that the job is done by someone licensed. HK Pest Control Services is licensed in Texas (TPCL #13923) and fully insured, and has been family owned since 2004.
More on our approach is on the rodent removal page and in our FAQ. If the noise is in the walls at night and you are finding droppings in the kitchen, our post on why mice move in during fall may be the closer match.
Hearing Noises in Your Attic?
Do not guess, and do not go up there with a flashlight hoping for the best. Call HK Pest Control Services at 469-618-9991 for a free quote and consultation. We serve Dallas, Richardson, Plano, and the surrounding area, and our work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
