It can be discerning to hear noises coming from the walls and attic in the middle of the night. Homeowners awoken to the sounds of gnawing and scratching, wondering if the critters are attempting to enter their living space. Are attic and wall dwelling critters trying to break through the walls and ceilings of homes?
The good news is in most cases critters and wildlife are generally more afraid of humans than we are of them. Critters in attics and walls are typically going to avoid contact with humans while going about their routine. One of the main reasons for this lies in the fact that humans are apex predators. Most of the critters found in homes are generally there for shelter or to scavenge food. The walls of the home act as a partition giving the critters a sense of privacy from the homeowners. So what are the critters chewing and scratching at?
Some critters have teeth that continue to grow their entire life. Critters including mice, rats, squirrels and other rodents have open rooted dentitions, meaning their teeth have no roots. These teeth are constantly growing and require shaping and whittling. This can be accomplished by chewing on hard surfaces. Most of the time the shells of nuts or the hard surfaces of bones will sufice. In walls and attics 2×4’s and electrical lines can be substituted. Critters can also chew and scratch into nooks and crannies of a home to stash food or build a more protected den/nest.
If you’re hearing scratching, gnawing and rustling in your walls or attic its generally not the critter attempting to enter your living space. Their goal is not to cuddle up in bed or watch tv with humans. Critters generally view humans as threats and will avoid direct contact with them. If there are noises coming from your walls or attic proactivity will greatly mitigate the amount of damage done. For more information contact the wildlife professionals at Critter Evictors.