Sweeping Noise From Inside Wall at Night

Problems

• Not only is a sweeping or rustling sound in the walls disconcerting, rodent infestations are downright dangerous. Mice and other rodents carry diseases that can cause serious illness in humans. They chew through electrical wiring, increasing the risk of a house fire, and may damage plumbing and insulation as well.

Identification

• To determine the true cause of the noise, look for other indicators of infestation. Feel the wall where you heard the noise coming from. Warmth indicates the presence of an animal behind the wall. Feces and urine stains in cabinets or closets, as well as an unpleasant musty smell, indicate a mouse problem. Look for bits of sawdust along baseboards or doors, as well as teeth marks. You may also notice brown streaks on the baseboards, which are caused by dirt and oil when mice repeatedly brush up against the baseboards.

Solutions

• Set traps if you suspect mice, spacing the traps 5 to 10 feet apart along the baseboards. Bait traps with a sweet, aromatic food, such as peanut butter. Wear a face mask with a HEPA filter when cleaning up rodent excrement and disinfect the area with a chlorine bleach solution. Use poisons carefully because they can harm children and other animals. Mice that die in the walls after ingesting poisons take a long time to decompose, attracting flies and developing odors. Contact a professional animal control specialist if you suspect a larger animal, such as a squirrel or raccoon. These animals bite and scratch when frightened and often carry diseases.

Prevention

• Many animals migrate indoors in the fall in search of food and warmth. To deter them, seal cracks and openings around entryways and under the eaves. Place a cap over the chimney to prevent animals from migrating indoors via the chimney. Clean up plant debris, which provides shelter for animals, and move woodpiles away from the house. Keep food in sealed packages in cabinets and pantries. Cover all trash cans securely and don't leave bowls of pet food outside.