Rodents in the Walls? Here's What You Might Be Hearing
You’re lying in bed. The house is quiet—except for a faint noise. Scratch. Scrape. Squeak. At first, you think it’s your imagination, but the noise comes again. Something is IN the walls.
If this sounds familiar, you might be dealing with a hidden rodent problem.
Rodents like mice and rats don’t wait for a formal invitation. As the weather warms and spring turns to summer, these pests become especially active—seeking warmth, food, and nesting areas. Your walls offer a perfect hiding spot.
What Do Rodents in the Walls Sound Like?
Rodents are nocturnal, so most activity happens at night. Here’s what you might hear if they’ve taken up residence behind your drywall:
🔊 Scratching or Scuffling
This usually happens when rodents are building nests, moving around, or foraging for food. It often sounds like something lightly rubbing or crawling inside the wall.
🔊 Gnawing
Rodents need to constantly chew to keep their teeth from overgrowing. If you hear light tapping or repetitive crunching sounds, it may be a rat or mouse chewing wood, wires, or insulation.
🔊 Squeaking
High-pitched squeaks or chirps could mean mice communicating with one another or with babies in a nest.
🔊 Thumping or Scurrying
Fast movement noises, especially between walls or ceilings, usually indicate more than one rodent—or larger pests like roof rats.
When & Where Are the Noises Most Noticeable?
Rodent activity is typically heard:
- At night (between 10 p.m. – 6 a.m.)
- Inside interior walls and ceilings
- Behind kitchen cabinets or appliances
- In attics, crawl spaces, or basements
The noises may come and go. Rodents are smart and adjust their patterns when they feel threatened.
Why Are Rodents Entering My Home?
Rodents don’t enter homes for fun—they’re survivalists. Here’s what draws them in:
- Shelter from Weather
Spring can be rainy and cold in Southeast Alaska. Rodents seek warmth and dryness, often finding it in the insulation inside your walls.
- Food Sources
Crumbs, pet food, and trash are all tempting. A few spills in the pantry may be all it takes.
- Easy Access Points
Tiny gaps in siding, vents, plumbing entry points, or even rooflines are all fair game for rodents. Mice can squeeze through holes the size of a dime.
Signs You Have a Rodent Problem (Beyond the Noise)
Rodents don’t usually live quietly. Here’s what else to look out for:
🔍 Droppings
Rodent droppings look like dark grains of rice. You’ll often find them in pantries, drawers, or under sinks.
🔍 Grease Marks
Rodents leave dark rub marks along walls and baseboards as they travel their regular routes.
🔍 Chewed Wires or Wood
Bite marks on cardboard boxes, wood trim, or electrical wires are common signs of gnawing activity.
🔍 Nests
Rodents build nests from shredded paper, fabric, insulation, and other soft materials. These are often hidden in wall voids, under appliances, or in attic insulation.
🔍 Strange Pet Behavior
Cats and dogs may bark, paw, or stare at walls when they detect hidden activity.
The Dangers of Ignoring Rodent Noises
Rodents aren’t just annoying—they can be dangerous to your home and health:
- Fire Hazards: Chewed wires can spark electrical fires.
- Contaminated Food: Rodents can carry salmonella, hantavirus, and other harmful bacteria.
- Structural Damage: Nesting and gnawing can damage wood, drywall, and insulation.
- Rapid Reproduction: Mice and rats reproduce quickly. A small problem can become a big infestation in just a few weeks.
What to Do If You Hear Rodents in the Walls
If you suspect rodent activity, here are steps to take immediately:
- Don’t Panic—Observe
Try to pinpoint the time, frequency, and location of the noises. This can help pest professionals narrow down access points and nesting areas.
- Seal Up Entry Points
Use caulk, mesh, or steel wool to block holes, gaps, or cracks on the exterior of your home. Focus around vents, pipes, crawl spaces, and the roofline.
- Clean Up Food Sources
Store pantry items in sealed containers. Clean crumbs off counters and floors. Avoid leaving pet food out overnight.
- Set Traps Carefully
Snap traps, live traps, and bait stations can work—if you know where to place them. However, improper placement can lead to poor results or harm to pets.
Why Professional Rodent Control Is Worth It
Rodents are clever, cautious, and fast. DIY methods might control the symptoms, but often miss the root problem—like where they’re nesting and how they got in.
At Alaska Pest Management, we offer:
- Full home inspections
- Rodent-proofing recommendations
- Safe, humane trapping and removal
- Ongoing monitoring and prevention
Our team understands the unique challenges of Alaskan homes—wet weather, wood construction, and rural surroundings make rodent control a serious science here.
Prevention Tips: Keep Rodents Out Year-Round
Here are long-term prevention strategies that make your home less appealing to rodents:
- Keep woodpiles and garbage bins away from the house
- Trim trees and shrubs away from the roof and siding
- Use mesh covers on vents and chimneys
- Regularly inspect your crawl space and attic
- Schedule seasonal inspections with a pest pro
Silence the Scratching
That sound in the wall? It’s a warning sign. Rodents don’t go away on their own, and ignoring the problem can lead to major damage and health risks.
If you’re hearing scratching, squeaking, or scurrying, don’t wait—contact Alaska Pest Management. Our experienced team can help identify the issue, remove the problem, and protect your home for good.
Let us help you rest easy—without wondering what’s lurking behind the walls.
