Top Household Pests
Discover what pests could be in your home
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Noises in the Attic
Noises in the attic are worrying and can be an indication that rodents or other wildlife may be living in your roof.
Attics (lofts) are ideal environments for squirrels and rodents, who damage stored items by gnawing and possibly cause fire hazards by chewing electric cabling.Noises should be investigated quickly, as nests and droppings become ideal breeding sites for insects, which may then carry nasty bugs and diseases into your home.
Inspect your attic and look for visible signs of habitation, commonly their droppings.
Identifying Pest Droppings
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Mouse Droppings - thin, spindle-shaped (pointed ends), about ½ cm
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Brown Rat Droppings - blunt, spindle-shaped, 1½ to 2cm
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Black Rat Droppings - pointed, sausage-shaped, 1½ cm in length
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Squirrel Droppings - similar to Brown Rat droppings, rounder, 1½ to 2cms
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Bat Droppings - - dark brown or black, 4-8mm long. Similar to mouse droppings, but crumble into a fine powder when crushed.
Get Rid of Mice in The Attic
Mice need to be treated quickly, to avoid an infestation taking hold. Initial defence is to proof your attic against entry. We have a very effective, professional service for controlling mice. Learn more about mice and professional mouse control in your home.
Rats in The Attic
It is extremely serious if rats get into your home, even if not in a living area. Any rat problem inside the home must be treated urgently. Rentokil offers a wide range of highly effective treatments carried out by our expert technicians. Proofing your loft space is an effective way of preventing pests entering, but the infestation must be treated first.
Learn more about rats and our professional rat control solutions for your home.
Get Rid of Squirrels in The Attic
Squirrels can cause significant damage by gnawing on wood and electrical cables.
Squirrels can be removed by catching them in traps. It is possible to use DIY traps, although great care needs to be taken when handling cages with live squirrels, as they are likely to bite and scratch. It is also an offence to release grey squirrels back into the wild, once caught in a cage, they must be destroyed humanely. In contrast, red squirrels must be released into the wild. Professional treatment of grey squirrels may use mechanical traps or baiting. These are effective methods, when applied by appropriately trained, qualified and experienced technicians.
It is essential to proof your home against squirrels to stop them re-inhabiting. This may include cutting back branches overhanging your property, to prevent access to roof spaces.
Call us if you would like further advice about squirrels or if you would like to arrange a visit from a Rentokil technician.
How to Get Rid of Birds in The Attic
Pigeons , gulls or other birds in the attic create mess, health risks, annoying noise and damage.
Birds should be removed and the entry points need to be blocked, using chicken wire or a solid barrier. It is possible to proof the exterior of your building from pigeons and other birds using spikes, wire systems or netting. To deter birds, it may be possible to scare them away, but a long term solution is likely to require professional deterrents. Rentokil are experts in all forms of bird control, so if you would like further advice or would like to arrange a visit from a Rentokil technician.
Bats in The Attic
Bats are protected, endangered species and it is an offence to try to kill or remove bats or to change or block their roosts. Even if bats have left your attic, it is an offence to block the roost - bats return to the same place every year, so empty bat roosts are protected.
If you are aware that bats are roosting in your attic, you should consult with the Bat Conservation Ireland before carrying out remedial timber treatments, insect control or rodent control that may cause them harm.
Insect Infestations in Your Attic
An insect infestation is most likely to be caused by attraction to food, textiles or wood stored in your loft, or they may be living off the droppings of other pests in the loft such as rats, mice or squirrels. Deep cleaning and the use of amateur insecticides will help to keep insects under control, but you may require professional treatment to completely eradicate the infestation by stopping the life-cycle.
Rentokil has extensive experience in eliminating insect infestations, so you can be sure we have the right solution for you. Find out more on how to deal with particular insects you may find in your loft: