beavers in my roof

Zizzie · #1 (**permalink**) 29-01-2010, 09:44 PM

I live in a single storey barn conversion with no loft. At night I hear something running across the roof tiles and, more recently, gnawing through wood. It is so loud it sounds like beavers gnawing through a tree and the galloping sounds like the Derby. There is frequently some squealing too. Both activities are probably magnified by the silence and the fact that I am half asleep. The gap between the insulation boards and the roofing felt under the pantiles is probably only 50mm. I've ruled out squirrels (not active at night) and rats (not enough room - although I do wonder and we do have lots of them).

The noise is so bad I'm now sleeping on the sofa! Anyone had a similar experience and what did it turn out to be if you have and what did you do to deter these creatures?

Ziz

salukiwhippet · #2 (**permalink**) 30-01-2010, 05:24 AM

Definitely sounds like rats to me. They can get through any gap their head can. 50mm is ample room! Squealing's a big giveaway too. As for what to do, that rather depends on your own conscience.

James

danthekeeper · #3 (**permalink**) 30-01-2010, 06:07 AM

I would say James is spot on there. I lived in a thatched cottage for a while and there where rats in the loft it sounded like something a lot bigger galloping across the ceiling the kids got scared they thought we had a ghost

The Woodman · #4 (**permalink**) 30-01-2010, 06:57 AM

Whereabouts in the country are you Zizzie?

Zizzie · #5 (**permalink**) 30-01-2010, 09:36 AM

I'm in rural Norfolk, close to the Broads.

Ziz

The Woodman · #6 (**permalink**) 31-01-2010, 07:22 AM

I think your nocturnal gnawing points to rats unfortunately. If it was just movement noise and squealing it might have been stoats. Femal Stoats are about to enter the eostrus period and mating is a noisy affair. I know of two houses where stoats live in the roof but this is far from common.

Most sounds heard from the roof seem to amplified and you have identified gnawing. Rats will rarely gnaw wood except to enlarge an access hole but will destroy cable insulation and pipe lagging foam for fun.

As much as I dislike the practise I would attempt to get rid of them using proprietry poison following the instructions to the letter. Doubtless there will be those who disagree but it's your property and safety that have to be protected.

tameblackbirds · #7 (**permalink**) 31-01-2010, 07:38 AM

I have written about this several times. Don't poison use snap traps fast and effective. Poison can kill other animals that find them dead or alive. We get the odd rat in our loft and the traps are getting them if they come in killed 4 so far. Sad and horrible as close up they are lovely looking animals. They chewed through a wire before we knew we had them so your safety is parramount. Good Luck

Zizzie · #8 (**permalink**) 01-02-2010, 08:53 AM

Thanks for these posts. We certainly have weasels about - do they come out at night? I have put a humane rat trap up on the roof baited with peanut butter - we'll see if that catches anything. Don't like poison as we have owls too and I'd hate to poison them by accident. Got a pest man out who says he cannot find a hole around the eaves big enough for even a wood mouse to get through (the conversion is only seven years old so building fairly new). The research goes on but the novelty of sleeping on the sofa is wearing off!

Ziz

Garden Carpet · #9 (**permalink**) 01-02-2010, 10:20 AM

I would agree with the other posters ... you have rats! I have a similar problem... sounds like a herd of football playing elephants.

I tried all sorts to rid myself of them.. so far poison worked for a few months till the next lot found their way in.. traps totally useless. At the moment we are quiet.. suprisingly. I brought a bag of ferret poo onto the property and havn't even put it into the garage... still unopened outside... and I have not heard a rat since then. Seems that ferret poo does work

jaki

Kayleigh · #10 (**permalink**) 01-02-2010, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garden Carpet

I would agree with the other posters ... you have rats! I have a similar problem... sounds like a herd of football playing elephants.

I tried all sorts to rid myself of them.. so far poison worked for a few months till the next lot found their way in.. traps totally useless. At the moment we are quiet.. suprisingly. I brought a bag of ferret poo onto the property and havn't even put it into the garage... still unopened outside... and I have not heard a rat since then. Seems that ferret poo does work

jaki

What a great idea I would put a ferret up there..just to make sure they move on..

Humane traps dont work they don't use them snap traps do work..
Good luck but if they are in the house they do need to be eradicated..