What is living in my loft?

[Honeybunzz]

please tell me what the most common 4 legged creature that could be living in a loft.

I suspect it could be a fox or cat (although I know how unlikely that is - I just guess that based on the sound of the weighty footsteps I hear up there). Way too heavy and quiet to be a squirrel/ mouse/ rat.

I have mobility problems (broken leg) and no ladder so unable to check and to be quite honest - I’m abit scared too. Have asked a friend to come this evening to give it a look although the animal/ animals seem to scamper when they hear a loud noise so I suspect will be gone when we get round to it.

I don't want to be the bearer of bad news but it is likely a rat or a family of rats! They can sound very loud in the attic

A rat is the most likely. Though it’s also possible it could be a nesting bird if it’s only just started.

Very unlikely to be a fox or cat.

Rats. Fat ones from the sound of it.

I would say a rat. We had a mouse once and it sounded like a small horse, or perhaps a goat, as it ran about above the ceiling.

Could also maybe be a squirrel

You wouldn't believe how heavy squirrels can sound! Like burglars.

My money is on squirrels. They make a hell of a noise jumping around, we have finally managed to get rid of ours but it look a few attempts. They kept returning!!!

a rat in the loft can sound like an army of men stomping around.

oh my god, I can’t bring myself to believe it’s a rat. I hope not. If it is; it’s huge as the sound of it running sounds like a full sized toddlers footsteps sometimes.

I suspected rat but I remember having mice in my old apartment and I remember hearing them shuffle/ shred/ squeal and all sorts. I remember a distinct smell also. This creature seems to be silent. No scratching, no squealing or shredding. Just running across the loft if I slam a door or casually walking across at times too.

Thank you for the suggestions though I’m terrified now if it is rats.

Squirrels are NOT quiet. Like a herd of rampaging, angry rhinos, and that's just one.

It could be a trapped bird which was looking for a nest site and now can't find it's way out. Whatever it is you don't want it dying up there as it will stink your house out.

We had tiny mice and they made more noise than you’d think possible for such small things!
we’ve also had birds which again, sounded far bigger and heavier than they actually were

I had glis glis in my loft in my old house - pesky buggers used to have a party in the early hours of the morning.

Pest control man did the job with them, thank god!

@NoblyBobly

I hope for my sake it is squirrels (although I know they are equally just as destructive). I suspect squirrels as I live in quite a green part of town and I do have a lot of squirrels that are often on my balcony/ front garden and so on.

They look so cute! However I know they must be a nightmare!

@LittleGreenDragons

I know birds are up there also as I see small blue tits fly in and out of there every spring however these footsteps are weighty. And seem to be 4 feet running as opposed to 2. I feel it could be a squirrel. Will try and get someone to check urgently as I’m terrified.

Don’t read the book Broken Harbour anytime soon!!

I hat rats in my roof - they weren't nesting thank goodness. They made SO much noise. Almost unbelievable.

I'd advise setting traps - you can buy humane ones. I paid someone from council who came round - the vermin team. You have to find how they are getting in - mine was an unused drain pipe which we clogged up and problem went away.

Good luck OP.

I used to live in a flat with a flat roof and ong the noise the birds used to make was unreal. Given your description I vote for squirrels!

A friend had squirrels in her loft - said they sounded so heavy and noisy she assumed they'd be something more sinister!

What time of the day / night do you hear them?

Rats are most active at night.

I had rats in the loft once - sounded like something much heavier. The only solution is to call vermin control and they'll tell you what it is by looking at the droppings. If your house adjoins others, the 'rats' are possibly in their lofts too.

@isthismylifenow

They aren’t active at nighttime. I tend to hear them more early in the morning and sometimes during the day. But mostly early mornings.

Squirrels are the most common intruders around here.

Captain Howdy