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Do I Have Bats or Mice in the Attic?

Nick Siebert • May 27, 2023

Know the difference between bats and mice in the attic.

Shockingly, a female mouse can have as many as 10 litters a year, giving birth as quickly as 25 days later. Each litter can have anywhere from six to eight babies, meaning your attic can quickly become infested with mice. 


Bats, on the other hand, only have one pup a year. But this doesn’t mean they travel alone —in the summer, it’s common for female bats to create nursing colonies that can have as many as 75 bats. 


The scratching, squeaking, and chirping noises you hear probably have you wondering if you have bats or mice in the attic. Both carry dangerous diseases that are harmful to you and your family, which is why you need professional pest removal services. 


But do bats sound like mice in the attic? The two critters often have similarities, but they also feature many differences that can help you tell them apart. 


Signs of Mice In the Attic


If you suspect mice are in your attic, you’ll need to pay close attention to the sounds in your ceiling. Mice make skittering sounds as their nails scrap across your attic floors.


Do mice make scratching noises in the attic? Yes. You may also hear little squeaks, along with scratching and gnawing sounds. 


Since mice are nocturnal, you’re more likely to hear mice squeaking at night. Keep in mind that bats and other rodents also make these noises, and a professional pest removal technician is the only one who can definitively identify the pest in your attic —and remove it. 


Once you hear these noises, you’ll need to visually inspect your attic for mice. However, this can be a daunting task for most homeowners, especially since it might not be mice in your attic. 


Anyone looking for pest removal in Sparta, NJ, or the surrounding areas should consult with a pest control company before looking for an infestation. 


A mouse infestation would present stained pathways where the mice are entering and exiting your home, along with tracks, hair, nesting materials, signs of chewing, and fecal matter (pellets). If you have a finished attic, you’d want to look for entry points to determine where the mice are coming from. 


You might find nests in your attic as mice gather materials to make cozy beds, protecting them from the elements. Your pets might be acting unusually, or you might find chewed items in your attic. No matter what signs of an infestation you stumble upon, always let a professional handle the removal of these harmful pests. 


Signs of Bats in the Attic


One sign of bats nesting in your attic is when they fly around your home come sunset or sunrise. If you inspect your attic and see guano (bat droppings), all signs point to a bat infestation. These droppings are commonly located near the entry point the bats are accessing your home through. 


Like mice, bats may make high-pitched sounds. These will sound more like chirping sounds, as bats rely on this noise to communicate and navigate their path to find food. You would commonly hear these noises at night or before sunrise, as bats are nocturnal as well. 



Bats may also leave scratch marks on your walls. If you notice any signs of a rodent infestation, contact a professional pest removal company before significant damage occurs to your home or your health. 


You may also notice dead bats around your property. Never touch a bat with your bare hands, as they carry deadly diseases such as rabies. Always defer to the professionals for professional bat removal in Sussex County, NJ. 

 


If you smell ammonia in your attic, you may have bats. This toxic odor is usually located near bat droppings and indicates the need to contact a professional. 



Do You Have Bats or Mice in the Attic? 


Determining if you have bats or mice in the attic can be difficult. Both make squeaking noises, mainly at night. The only way to determine what pest of plaguing your attic is by contacting a professional pest removal company. 


Serene Property Services offers professional wildlife removal in Sussex County, NJ, and the surrounding areas. Contact us today for an estimate.

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