Something In The Roof

[iloveglee]

I wonder if anyone could give me some ideas as to what might be in my extension roof. the roof of this extension is totally self contained from the rest of the house, we have seen no evidence of rats, mice etc in the house, but it may be if that is what it is, they cant get anywhere else.

we hear these noises intermittently, sometimes quite loud, sometimes softer but our cat always hears it and looks up. the noises are always in the same place, in the corner where our house joins onto next door's and right on the outside edge, where the extension joins a conservatory.

its a strange noise, not a scratching exactly, more like something in that's trying to get out. but whatever it is, must be able to get in and out otherwise it would die.

our local council make a charge for pest control, so we would like to be sure it is a pest before we get them in. as we have cats, who go on the roof, am not awfully keen on poison baits. there are squirrels round about but are they likely to come inside. also birds, but again its hardly the time for nesting, although we have been hearing this noise for some time now.

sometimes we won't hear it for days, then can hear it several days in a row. very rarely do we hear it during the day, more often during the evening, and since the darker nights, we are hearing it earlier, around 5 pm. its a bit of a mystery and welcome some insights from anyone who might have any.

[vulcan42]

Sounds like bats.

[pixie374]

Glis Glis? There seem to be a lot around at the moment.

[bhg481]

If it is bats you're stuck with them. Illegal to do anything at all.

[Tilly2]

I would guess bats as well.

[hc4361]

Squirrels definitely will come inside roof spaces - you need to check it out especially if there is electric wiring in there as they are strangely attracted to gnawing on them.

[hc4361]

I'd be surprised if it's bats as they hibernate and it has been very cold during the last few nights.

[iloveglee]

funnily enough we havent heard them for a few days!! but bats?? still, if its bats that's ok. i know you cant remove them but wouldnt be too concerned. am rather more concerned about rats and mice really, or squirrels due to their inclination to chew. not sure if there are any electric cables up there tbh. dont fancy having to have the roof off

[naomi24]

A friend of ours had squirrels in his roof. Silly devil took a shotgun to them!! Not the best idea!!

[Samuraisan]

Ghosts?

[Tuvok]

Have you got a hatch into the roof space?

[EDDIE51]

My first thought was bats as well.

[tamborine]

"....have cats, who go on the roof...."

Mouse escapee from cats

[vulcan42]

Pipistrelle, the most common of the UK bats hibernate from the end of November to late march, so they could be getting ready.

[Arksided]

Sounds like bats to me, nestling into their new abode. Also your Cat knows they're there but can't do anything about it.

[iloveglee]

i must admit that bats were the least likely thing i thought of. i have never seen bats around here. but there is no doubt they are much quieter the last couple of days. we shall have to see what happens in the next week or so. if all goes quiet then maybe it is bats. do squirrels hibernate incidentally?

[iloveglee]

should say we cannot get into this space, it is a completely self contained roof on an extended bit of the house. not without taking the roof of at any rate!

[Tilly2]

Can you have a hatch put in so that you can access the space?

[RATTER15]

My educated guess would be rats or mice, you are not likely to hear bats, it could be squirrels but not so likely as rats or mice.

[Tilly2]

Could it be starlings? We have starlings nesting under our ridge tiles in the spring/summer and they may use the space as shelter in the winter. We can hear them when lying in bed.

[iloveglee]

all this is very useful thanks. our first thought was certainly rats or mice as they are the most common things. the noise seems to be a bit loud for mice unless they have hobnail boots on. which leaves rats. the least preferred visitor, although what are squirrels after all but rats with fluffy tails! i think at the end of the day we are going to have to ask for expert advice. it would be 'possible' to put a hatch in, but not very desirable. it would mean the ceiling in the whole room would have to be re-done, and i can see this getting very expensive before too long. we will probably call the council in the first instance and see what they have to say.