When homeowners have a critter in their property they note that the noises are sometimes intermittent. Some nights they are kept awake to sounds of rustling, gnawing and scratching. Other nights the house is silent. It’s enough to make some homeowners question their sanity. The good news is you’re probably not loosing your mind! We’re going to take a look at a common factor that causes these inconsistent noises.
There are elements in the attic and wall cavities that can muffle and omit the critters noises from the living space. Insulation on the attic floor and in the walls can play a role.
Most houses have a layer of insulation that correlates to their weather zone in the country. In areas where it gets below freezing for parts of the year there can be a 12-24 inch bed of insulation in the attic. Critters generally leave trails above and below the insulation.
Insulation can look like fresh snow. Through the insulation if you’re seeing trails and tunnels you can put your money on a resident in the attic. When these critters are traveling above the insulation their activities are harder to hear. When the critters burrow below the insulation and are transient directly above the ceiling their noises will be more audible. This is a common theme when a house has mice.
Insulation can greatly deaden the noises produced from critters in walls and attics. There are a multitude of other factors that can be at play, but starting with the basics is usually a good start. If you’re hearing a critter in your house some nights but not others, you’re not alone.