Scratching or Scurrying Sounds in the Attic at Night
moderate 1–3 h
Steps
- Time and describe the noise: light scurrying at dusk and dawn is squirrels or rats; heavy thumps and slow movement at night is a raccoon; fluttering and squeaks at dusk are bats.
+5 more steps in the full guide
Stop and call a pro if
- you suspect bats — they are protected in most places, have breeding seasons when exclusion is illegal, and their droppings need respirator-grade cleanup
Rules in the US: Bats and many birds are federally or state protected; exclusion is only allowed outside the maternity season and by permitted operators in some states.