Something scampering in attic at dawn

[mamhaf]

Don't think it's a mouse - no droppings and the trap is empty.

We only hear it as it's getting light - but it's very noisy.

Any ideas? And if so, how do we get rid of whatever it is? (seriously thinking about taking the dog up to hunt).

I've had rats in mine. Rat man said he only saw a few droppings so probably only one or two but the sound was very noisy. Sometimes squirrels get in lofts. I contacted my local council.

Squirrels? Birds? Are you rural/near a park?

Yes, we are rural - this doesn't sound good . Why only early mornings though? Very odd.

We've had squirrels in ours just before dawn playing around. Poison didn't work and our roof was to high up to find anyone who would go up a ladder to block it off. Now have an ultrasonic deterrent gadget in the loft.

I know it's squirrels as I took 4 photos of them on our window sill the equivalent of 6 stories up.

rats, squirrels, bats or birds.

We have this and it turned out to be pigeons on a flat part of the roof. It's worse in the mornings.

I've found that pigeons on a rooftop sound way louder than you would think possible.

Early mornings suggest birds to me. Perhaps starlings? See if anything is landing on or near the roof a lot, or emerging when you hear the scratching.
Mice tend to charge around at night, sounding like large rats

It's less easy to deal with birds, as they aren't classed as pests. Perhaps try a word with your local council pest control for some guidance. They usually know what to look for and what you can do.

We have fecking squirrels.

They make their way around the inside frame of the house (we have hollow cavities) and occasionally turn up in the rooms. One was sitting on the back of dh's brand new armchair on Hallowe'en, and shat all over it when we leapt up and started trying to chase the fecker out of the door.

Last year we evicted 5 from the girls' bedroom.

I fecking hate squirrels.

I had this a while ago; only heard it at dawn, dh couldn't find any droppings etc up there, bait that we'd put up there (just in case) hadn't been touched.

Turned out to be mice.

We have rats as we farm and they come in from the barns. They party over my room and in the walls

You could try putting some bait down (as it's a generally child/pet free area and see if it goes.

Good luck!

I agree if it was a rodent you would be hearing it at night rather than dawn, I think birds or bats more likely

With a neighbour's help we have uncovered the truth.

It's birds on the roof! They scrape off the moss early in the morning - thanks for all the suggestions though.