Immigrants

[Bogart]

Does anybody know what noises a bat in the belfry makes? Had funny noises above one bedroom on and off for a while but the last few nights seems more consistant. It is a sort of
scratching noise, quite loud, last for 30 odd seconds then stops. Repeats after about 5 or 10 minutes, all in the same area of the bedroom ceiling, then after about an hour it stops permanently. I've had properties with mice in the attic and is not that kind of continual scurrying about. So far only stuck my head in as access not brilliant suppose I will need to get myself in there and take a look. Hope Dracula has not taken residence.

 

[88v8]

We get that sort of periodic noise from mice chewing inside our wattle walls. I think there is a tunnel world in there.
And sometimes the squeaks of mouselings.

Can you get a snaptrap in?

Ivor

 

[LadyArowana]

Don't bats go out at night?

 

[livias]

I once had that sort of noise in my bedroom. Put down mousetraps, cowered under the sheets, turned lights on quickly, stalked quietly etc etc all to no avail. It turned out to be birds in the gutter and the sound being transmitted through ducting to a quite unexpected place. I breathed a deep sigh of relief and went back to sleep

 

[kreyszig]

I think they also hibernate during the winter..

 

[paulc]

Can you get a snaptrap in?

Trapping, killing, or disturbing bats is a criminal offence, so please think twice before setting any traps. That said, bats are normally very quiet creatures especially this time of year. During the summer months they will squeek & chirp when emerging or returning to the roost.

If you think there might be bats roosting in your property, it may pay to contact an organisation such as the Bat Conservation Trust for advice.

 

[Me!]

You say it is a sort of scratching noise. If by that you mean more gnawing than just scratching, then the rest of your description "quite loud, last for 30 odd seconds then stops. Repeats after about 5 or 10 minutes, all in the same area of the bedroom ceiling" sounds I'm afraid very like a rat.

We have had several over the years we've been in this house usually, if not always, in winter when I assume they come in from the cold. I have had many sleepless weeks lying awake in bed and listening to the things eating their way through stuff in the roof above me.

Checking for rat droppings in the loft is probably your easiest next step, and if you find the evidence then you do need to get rid of the rat. The damage they did to some of our electric cables was frightening.

As for traps or poison, the choice is yours, but please do not consider, even for one second, the option of a humane trap. The only good rat is a dead rat. If you use a snap trap, then I suggest fixing it to something secure with a bit of wire so it doesn't get dragged away. The best bait I have found is a sultana or raisin dipped in chocolate spread and then wired onto the trap to make sure the rat can't get it off without activating the trap.

However, if you think you've got bats in your loft then please don't do any of the above! But, as Paul has said already, bats are very quiet especially at this time of year.

Good luck.

 

[Bogart]

After having a good look around no sign of bats. In fact the lady next door is an expert on bats takes in lots of injured ones. Unfortunately she is away hence nobody local to ask. Anyway on inspecting up in the loft amongst all the loose thatch and straw up there I have found evidence of droppings. Looks like mice but as I have never seen rat droppings who knows. Having had mice in a previous property def looks the right size. I put out some bits of chocolate yesterday evening in the middle of an area dusted with flour. This morning nothing touched nor did we hear anything last night. To be on the safe size will get some traps tomorrow.

 

[Bogart]

Well no new sightings or should I say listenings. The bits of chocolate have not moved. If the creatures were resident surely I would hear most nights and have evidence by disappearance of the chocolate.
So all I can thingk of they just used the loft for a few nights B&B.

 

[Pennyviz]

Bat droppings are quite similar to rodent droppings, but more powdery. Will be more concentrated under the roost.

Penny

 

[88v8]

Our snaptrap in the attic sometimes catches one a night for a couple of weeks.
In the last month or so, nothing.
And no mouseling noises for months.

They are about. I see them flitting in the garden. No apparent pattern to why they come in then don't. Not the weather. Maybe those who know the secret paths get nabbed by the neighbour's cat and it takes time for their successors to pick up the scent.
But sure as eggs, they'll be back.

Ivor

 

[Bogart]

Will keep a watch I would love a night time camera to see the comings and goings.