OK, what's up in the loft?

[Cubist]

For a couple of weeks there's been some funny noises coming from the loft. Sitting in the lounge (the house is upside down, with the living rooms on top, bedrooms below) you can hear a quiet rhythmic tapping or scrabbling noise. The sound moves around, and sounds like little claws on the ceiling boards. Now this is odd, because the loft is deep insulated all the way across, so nothing should be able to run around on the boards. Whatever it is is under the insulation.

Although the noise comes from different parts of the ceiling, at different times, the activity is pretty static if youn understand my meaning. Whatever is making the noise makes it in one place at a time.

I'm going to go and investigate in the morning, but until then anyone want to suggest what I might be looking for?

So far I'm thinking of mice, but past infestations have manifested with activity in the winter, which we haven't seen.

What about bats? They should be waking and starting to move about at this time of year.

The eaves are well boarded, so I don't think it's birds, and why would they be active at night?

 

[classic33]

Bats?

 

[Cubist]

Bats?

I certainly hope so. Anything else and I'll have to start having it removed. Bats on the other hand are a real favourite and mustn't be disturbed anyway.

Oh, and I can officially say I've got bats in the belfry!

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

If it's rhythmic, you can rest assured that you dinnae have Sting or Bono living in you loft.

 

[cosmicbike]

Starlings nesting perhaps?

 

[Cubist]

Starlings nesting perhaps?

Would they make much noise after dark? We occasionally get them down the chimney, so it's entirely possible.

 

[classic33]

I certainly hope so. Anything else and I'll have to start having it removed. Bats on the other hand are a real favourite and mustn't be disturbed anyway.

Oh, and I can officially say I've got bats in the belfry!

Could be bee's. They're active earlier this year. Disturb them and a fast exit may be required. Dignified exit you can work on.

 

[Cubist]

Might just go and dig out my diving suit then.......

 

[classic33]

Might just go and dig out my diving suit then.......

And a matress or two, for the "dignified landing"!

 

[summerdays]

When we had squirrels they used to be active in the night time, we ended up putting up a wildlife camera to find out.

 

[Hill Wimp]

Verons pneumatic squirrels have moved in.

@User14044 and i can attest to their size and the fact a MAC10 may be needed, along with kevlar and a pro-tec ballistic helmet but on the positive side one of his squirrels will feed you for a week should you get snowed in up there in your country retreat.

 

[Hill Wimp]

What about Kevin the Gerbil?

 

[annedonnelly]

My mice make a scampering sound in the loft. I also don't know what they're running along as it's stuffed full of insulations. I guess they're underneath it on the joists.

The starlings make a less rhythmic noise.

The winter was pretty mild so maybe the mice didn't come in because of that. I didn't notice mine as much as usual. The ones that live in the compost bins by the back door have been active all winter. As well as lots of lovely compost to eat it's conveniently placed to nip out and steal the bird food from the ground and dash back to safety. I love watching them

 

[biggs682]

Mice would be first option then you have a bird of some sort or perhaps a gruffalo .....

 

[Levo-Lon]

Blue tits nested in the neighbours house every year until a small hole was blocked up..
I had a few starlings nesting before i had a new roof...