Animals commonly found living in ceilings and attics include mice, rats, squirrels, raccoons, bats, and opossums. These critters gain access through gaps in rooflines, vents, and chimneys to seek shelter and nesting space.
First up is the noise. If the sounds are in the daytime, especially early morning or evening, you have squirrels in your house. If the noise is at night but very heavy sounding, and slow, it's likely raccoons. Opossums are another option, but they are rarer.
Hearing an animal scurrying in your ceiling at night is likely a rodent like a rat or mouse, or a larger nocturnal animal such as a raccoon or opossum. Because these animals carry diseases, you should never corner them or reach into dark spaces.
Animals that commonly live in ceilings and attics include rodents (mice, rats), squirrels, and bats. Larger wildlife such as raccoons, opossums, and birds can also nest in these overhead spaces.
Possums will sleep in one place
Unlike rats and mice they produce a large volume of urine so stains on a ceiling will usually indicate possums. That factor also creates a distinctive possum smell, which is easily recognised (with a bit of experience!). Rats and mice constantly move around except when nesting.
Roof rats. Roof rats (Rattus rattus), also known as black rats, are common in warmer regions and can often be found nesting in attics, roofs, and trees. Due to predation and environmental hazards, roof rats in the wild usually live for about one year.
Movement: Rats move quickly and nervously. Possums are calmer and more curious.
Common nighttime rodent sounds include:
Persistent scratching noises within ceiling spaces or behind wall surfaces. Rhythmic gnawing sounds near baseboards, around plumbing fixtures, or electrical outlets. Rapid scurrying or running movements in attic areas, crawl spaces, or between floor levels.
Squirrels: Squirrels make scratching and scurrying sounds that are similar to rats and mice. The biggest difference is that squirrels are diurnal (active during the day). So, ask yourself when the sounds are most pervasive. If during the day, you might have squirrels in your walls.
One of the most active times for rats is during autumn due to their preparation for the cold weather ahead. Rats become more active in September-November as they scavenge for food to stockpile and make nests. When temperatures start to drop, rats are less likely to venture out during daylight hours.
Roof Vents: These provide easy access to attics. Small Gaps or Cracks: Even a half-inch gap can be an entryway for rodents. Holes in Shingles or Siding: Damage to the exterior can be exploited by animals. Holes Underneath Your House: Ideal for snakes, opossums, or armadillos.
Rodents are known for their swift movements, so if the scratching sounds are accompanied by scurrying sounds, you're likely hearing a rat or mouse on the move. Rodents chew and they chew loudly and persistently. They constantly chew and gnaw on anything and everything, including drywall and wiring.
The Signs of Rats in Your Ceiling
To get rid of an animal in your ceiling, first identify the pest based on the time of day it is active and the sounds you hear. Then, secure the area by finding and sealing all exterior entry points, and use either live-traps or one-way exclusion doors to safely remove the animals.
Yes, mice will occasionally go near or even climb on sleeping humans. While mice are naturally skittish and prefer to avoid human contact, they are nocturnal, excellent climbers, and fearless when searching for warmth, nesting materials, or crumbs.
Mice can live without water for months and without food for 1-2 weeks, but with access to both, they can live up to two years. And due to their constant reproduction, they can live in your walls indefinitely if measures aren't taken to remove them.
So the rat and mouse population is at it's highest by late Summer/early Autumn. As autumn progresses the food sources start to dry up and the vegetation dies back. Rats and mice will feel the cold and will now start to seek cover, alternative food and warmth. This is when they move into buildings.
Hearing scratching in your walls usually indicates a pest infestation, such as mice, rats, squirrels, or bats. To handle this effectively:
The "5-day mouse rule" is a pest-control guideline that indicates your indoor mouse infestation is likely cleared. If traps remain untouched and you see no new signs of activity (e.g., droppings, gnaw marks) for 5 to 7 consecutive days, the immediate mouse problem has likely been handled.
Yes, wild rats will sometimes go near, crawl on, or bite a sleeping human. However, they are naturally cautious creatures and typically only do this if you are actively attracting them or have an established infestation.
Classic snap traps can be effective but need careful placement and baiting. Roof rats are wary, so choose enticing baits like peanut butter, nuts, or dried fruit. Rats are color-blind and don't see well. As such, Position traps along known rat pathways, such as near walls.
Look for signs of rat or mouse infestation:
Rats are nocturnal and avoid people. Seeing one in daylight suggests the population is so large or food is so scarce that they are forced to search for food during the day.
The Amish control mice through non-chemical, self-sustaining methods, relying on active trapping, natural scent repellents, and structural exclusion. Rather than using commercial poisons, they focus on physical barriers and natural predators to keep rodent populations in check.
Rats are a primary food source for a wide variety of animals. Their most significant natural and artificial predators include: