You get rid of animals in the walls by identifying what they are, removing them, and sealing the exterior gap. The fix differs by animal, but sealing the gap is what ends the problem regardless of species. Here is what to do.
- Identify the animal by sound and time of day.
- Remove it by trapping or a one-way door.
- Never poison an animal in the wall.
- Seal the exterior gap to end the problem.
Identify the Animal
Mice. Light scratching at night, small droppings.
Squirrels. Scampering during the day, heavier movement.
Flying squirrels. Light scurrying at night.
Rats. Heavier scratching at night.
Bats. High-pitched squeaking and fluttering.
Remove It
Use a trap or one-way door suited to the animal, placed near the entry point or where you hear activity. Avoid poison, since a poisoned animal can die in the wall and create an odor problem. Still deciding whether to handle this yourself? My DIY vs. pro quiz asks five questions and gives you a straight answer.
Find and Seal the Gap
Inspect the exterior walls, roofline, foundation, and pipe entries for gaps. Seal every opening with steel mesh, hardware cloth, or caulk. Sealing is what ends the problem.
Clean Up
Remove droppings and nesting material after the animals are out, wearing gloves and a mask, since droppings can carry disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Listen for when the noise happens: daytime is squirrels, nighttime is mice, rats, or flying squirrels, and dusk is bats. Droppings and entry points confirm it.
Trap it or use a one-way door, then seal the exterior gap. Avoid poison, which can kill the animal in the wall.
Through gaps in the roofline, foundation, and pipe entries. Sealing those gaps is what ends the problem.
No. A poisoned animal can die in the wall and create an odor problem. Trap or exclude instead.
