Something is burrowing in my roof!

[peenie 1,905]

It’s making scratching sounds right now. It sounds like a squirrel  

I can’t see anything in my gutters from the lawn. I went into the attic and it’s all foam, no critters. But I can hear it. It’s like scratching, kind of loud. 

Do I call pest control? 

[Horseman 2,367]

2 minutes ago, peenie said:

It’s making scratching sounds right now. It sounds like a squirrel  

I can’t see anything in my gutters from the lawn. I went into the attic and it’s all foam, no critters. But I can hear it. It’s like scratching, kind of loud. 

Do I call pest control? 

Welcome to home ownership.  These are the costs that everyone conveniently leaves out in the renting vs. owning thread.  Let you be the example, short time home owner, and so far:

- House Painted

- Tree Removal

- Pest Control

Keep the idiots in the other thread updated.  In my area there are several 5 star review companies that do a complete attic and crawl space inspection.  They they will help you address any issues: pests, leaks, lack of insulation.  I'd look for one of those with lots of positive reviews.  Being a new home it's probably something you need to have done anyway (edit: should have been done before you bought the house).

Obviously if you have pest or leaks or are missing insulation you'll need to get that fixed right away.  If they suggest more installation, that is a an R-value calculation we can look at.

Another thing I suggest you have done is cleaning of all the ducts.  You never know what kind of stuff is left over in the ducts from the previous owners.  

Also, are you on sewer or septic?  If you're on septic you should have had an inspection done when you purchased the home, which reminds me.  Get out that home inspection because it might point to things that you need to work on repairing/improving.

[Engorgeous George 2,138]

12 minutes ago, peenie said:

It’s making scratching sounds right now. It sounds like a squirrel  

I can’t see anything in my gutters from the lawn. I went into the attic and it’s all foam, no critters. But I can hear it. It’s like scratching, kind of loud. 

Do I call pest control? 

Call an exorcist.

[The Psychic Observer 496]

Not sure where you live, if it's cold there or not.  Could be a squirrel, but squirrels don't like to live in attics.  Could be mice or rats.  Could also be a bird or birds on the roof or in the gutters which can sound like they are on the ceiling sometimes.  If you went up there and didn't see anything alarming then maybe wait it out.  You would have to call pest control.  Be alert for scams.  A pest control person would charge around $100 to look around, and even if they don't find something they will likely suggest trap setting and a complete critter proof package for several hundred dollars which is probably unnecessary.

As a new homeowner you have to be alert for people looking to scam you.  Like the duct cleaning, it's a complete waste of money unless you're suffering from allergies or asthma in the house.

[seafoam1 2,803]

21 minutes ago, peenie said:

It’s making scratching sounds right now. It sounds like a squirrel  

I can’t see anything in my gutters from the lawn. I went into the attic and it’s all foam, no critters. But I can hear it. It’s like scratching, kind of loud. 

Do I call pest control? 

Don't worry, @IGotWorms and @nobody and @Ravens fan say you are 40x more wealthy than non home owners. So it's not happening. 

[jerryskids 6,568]

Could be an opossum.  If so, @OldMaidcan teach you how to turn it into a pet.  

[Baker Boy 1,688]

27 minutes ago, Horseman said:

Welcome to home ownership.  These are the costs that everyone conveniently leaves out in the renting vs. owning thread.  Let you be the example, short time home owner, and so far:

- House Painted

- Tree Removal

- Pest Control

Keep the idiots in the other thread updated.  In my area there are several 5 star review companies that do a complete attic and crawl space inspection.  They they will help you address any issues: pests, leaks, lack of insulation.  I'd look for one of those with lots of positive reviews.  Being a new home it's probably something you need to have done anyway (edit: should have been done before you bought the house).

Obviously if you have pest or leaks or are missing insulation you'll need to get that fixed right away.  If they suggest more installation, that is a an R-value calculation we can look at.

Another thing I suggest you have done is cleaning of all the ducts.  You never know what kind of stuff is left over in the ducts from the previous owners.  

Also, are you on sewer or septic?  If you're on septic you should have had an inspection done when you purchased the home, which reminds me.  Get out that home inspection because it might point to things that you need to work on repairing/improving.

Correct, because your landlord is going to get on this problem ASAP.

 

[Horseman 2,367]

21 minutes ago, The Psychic Observer said:

  Like the duct cleaning, it's a complete waste of money unless you're suffering from allergies or asthma in the house.

That's so foking gross.  

[The Psychic Observer 496]

Just now, Horseman said:

That's so foking gross.  

What's gross?  Not getting your air ducts cleaned?  Are you a germophobe?

[seafoam1 2,803]

1 minute ago, The Psychic Observer said:

What's gross?  Not getting your air ducts cleaned?  Are you a germophobe?

Yeah. Most idiots want to live in a germ infested shlthole. It's cheaper that way. 

[Horseman 2,367]

1 minute ago, The Psychic Observer said:

What's gross?  Not getting your air ducts cleaned?  Are you a germophobe?

Seriously?

The only significant thing we found when we cleaned our ducts was a dead mouse.  But, you really want to be breathing in a rotting mouse corpse?  Not to mention the previous owner's dead skin, pet hair.  What if you have mold.  When done right it also helps find any leaks in the system.   I'm not saying you have to do it routinely, but, when buying a new home I want a full inspection and that includes the inside the ducts.  Feel free to live in other's squalor if you want.  

 

[Baker Boy 1,688]

51 minutes ago, peenie said:

It’s making scratching sounds right now. It sounds like a squirrel  

I can’t see anything in my gutters from the lawn. I went into the attic and it’s all foam, no critters. But I can hear it. It’s like scratching, kind of loud. 

Do I call pest control? 

If you have red squirrels in your area there is a good chance they are your problem. Do you have trees overhanging or close to your house that will allow access?

If that is the case mothballs can help your problem. You still will have to find the entry point.

[seafoam1 2,803]

 

[nobody 2,566]

15 minutes ago, Horseman said:

Seriously?

The only significant thing we found when we cleaned our ducts was a dead mouse.  But, you really want to be breathing in a rotting mouse corpse?  Not to mention the previous owner's dead skin, pet hair.  What if you have mold.  When done right it also helps find any leaks in the system.   I'm not saying you have to do it routinely, but, when buying a new home I want a full inspection and that includes the inside the ducts.  Feel free to live in other's squalor if you want.  

 

You breathe in other people's dead skin every where you go.  What do you think dust is made of?

[nobody 2,566]

Set a glue trap in your attic.  Put a little peanut butter on it.

Then you need to look around your house for areas they can get in the house and close them off.

[nobody 2,566]

25 minutes ago, seafoam1 said:

Yeah. Most idiots want to live in a germ infested shlthole. It's cheaper that way. 

Did you have your landlord clean the ducts before you moved in to your apartment?

[The Psychic Observer 496]

20 minutes ago, Horseman said:

Seriously?

The only significant thing we found when we cleaned our ducts was a dead mouse.  But, you really want to be breathing in a rotting mouse corpse?  Not to mention the previous owner's dead skin, pet hair.  What if you have mold.  When done right it also helps find any leaks in the system.   I'm not saying you have to do it routinely, but, when buying a new home I want a full inspection and that includes the inside the ducts.  Feel free to live in other's squalor if you want.  

 

germaphobe confirmed.

[Horseman 2,367]

8 minutes ago, nobody said:

You breathe in other people's dead skin every where you go.  What do you think dust is made of?

So take in an extra large concentrated helping then?

That's fine if you want to breathe in other people's squalor.  You can't argue that it's not a good idea for a new home to ensure adequate air flow and leaks.  Along with things that everyone agrees are not good for your health like mold and dead animals.  

 

[Horseman 2,367]

1 minute ago, The Psychic Observer said:

germaphobe confirmed.

Let me guess.  You're multi vaxxed and wore a mask the entire time during covid.

Most of these things are common sense that you keep ending up on the wrong side of.  You should give your tiny brain a rest.

[weepaws 3,157]

24 minutes ago, Horseman said:

Seriously?

The only significant thing we found when we cleaned our ducts was a dead mouse.  But, you really want to be breathing in a rotting mouse corpse?  Not to mention the previous owner's dead skin, pet hair.  What if you have mold.  When done right it also helps find any leaks in the system.   I'm not saying you have to do it routinely, but, when buying a new home I want a full inspection and that includes the inside the ducts.  Feel free to live in other's squalor if you want.  

 

Makes one stronger.  

[seafoam1 2,803]

6 minutes ago, nobody said:

Did you have your landlord clean the ducts before you moved in to your apartment?

Clean as can be bltch. And I know that hurts you to the core. 

[nobody 2,566]

2 minutes ago, Horseman said:

So take in an extra large concentrated helping then?

That's fine if you want to breathe in other people's squalor.  You can't argue that it's not a good idea for a new how to ensure adequate air flow and leaks.  Along with things that everyone agrees are not good for your health like mold.  

 

So that's not what you said.  You said clean the ducts because of the previous owners dead skin.

That different than having adequate airflow and leaks and mold.  

Peenie, is there any reason to think you have inadequate air flow or mold in your ducts?  This would manifest as the inability to get parts of your house under climate control or you getting sick with no reasonable explanation.

[nobody 2,566]

1 minute ago, seafoam1 said:

Clean as can be bltch. And I know that hurts you to the core. 

Yeah, your landlord didn't do that.  You got taken.

[WhiteWonder 2,677]

38 minutes ago, Baker Boy said:

Correct, because your landlord is going to get on this problem ASAP.

 

Plus average annual maintenance costs are already added into your rent but people keep pretending it’s a free perk of renting  

[seafoam1 2,803]

Just now, nobody said:

Yeah, your landlord didn't do that.  You got taken.

Ok. Go home now and face your mortgage debt or all of your financial mistakes in life. And one thing I am sure, you have a lot of financial mistakes in life. 

Good luck dude. You'll need it. 

[The Psychic Observer 496]

3 minutes ago, Horseman said:

So take in an extra large concentrated helping then?

That's fine if you want to breathe in other people's squalor.  You can't argue that it's not a good idea for a new how to ensure adequate air flow and leaks.  Along with things that everyone agrees are not good for your health like mold.  

 

If you have mold in your ductwork you will see it on the returns/filter, smell it and/or have health problems.  HVAC people will tell you duct cleaning is practically useless unless there is a known problem.  Also a good inspector would have found all of this, including any issues with the HVAC that would cause mold in the first place.

[seafoam1 2,803]

Just now, WhiteWonder said:

Plus average annual maintenance costs are already added into your rent but people keep pretending it’s a free perk of renting  

The one thing you leave out of every post is the actual cost. Nice move peon. 

[The Psychic Observer 496]

7 minutes ago, Horseman said:

Let me guess.  You're multi vaxxed and wore a mask the entire time during covid.

Most of these things are common sense that you keep ending up on the wrong side of.  You should give your tiny brain a rest.

Nope, I breathed in enough dead skin particles from strangers to have a great immune system.  You should try it sometime.

[BeenHereBefore 1,467]

Most likely squirrel's and had them in my old house, attic and in the walls and could hear them chase each other around in the walls. One day one got in the living room and dog chased it, I chased the dog and was like the scene in Christmas Vacation. I moved so don't know how to get them out or what became of them.

[WhiteWonder 2,677]

1 hour ago, peenie said:

It’s making scratching sounds right now. It sounds like a squirrel  

I can’t see anything in my gutters from the lawn. I went into the attic and it’s all foam, no critters. But I can hear it. It’s like scratching, kind of loud. 

Do I call pest control? 

Yes you do. If it’s a squirrel it’s probably making a nest so you should be able to see it coming and going outside the house from the general area you hear the noise even if you cant see the exact spot it’s getting in. 

[The Psychic Observer 496]

5 minutes ago, WhiteWonder said:

Yes you do. If it’s a squirrel it’s probably making a nest so you should be able to see it coming and going outside the house from the general area you hear the noise even if you cant see the exact spot it’s getting in. 

You can always put a portable speaker in the attic and play birds of prey noises for a few days.  It will leave on its own.

[OldMaid 2,129]

1 hour ago, jerryskids said:

Could be an opossum.  If so, @OldMaidcan teach you how to turn it into a pet.  

Haven’t seen one in years. Probably due to the fact that the coyotes are starving and have resorted to sneaking into our neighborhood at night.

[weepaws 3,157]

2 hours ago, peenie said:

It’s making scratching sounds right now. It sounds like a squirrel  

I can’t see anything in my gutters from the lawn. I went into the attic and it’s all foam, no critters. But I can hear it. It’s like scratching, kind of loud. 

Do I call pest control? 

Yes, call them. 

[Horseman 2,367]

1 hour ago, The Psychic Observer said:

If you have mold in your ductwork you will see it on the returns/filter, smell it and/or have health problems.  HVAC people will tell you duct cleaning is practically useless unless there is a known problem.  Also a good inspector would have found all of this, including any issues with the HVAC that would cause mold in the first place.

Wait until you're sick to find the mold, brilliant.    Thanks for proving my point.

And no, home inspectors aren't going to find leaks in the ductwork.  

[WhiteWonder 2,677]

1 hour ago, OldMaid said:

Haven’t seen one in years. Probably due to the fact that the coyotes are starving and have resorted to sneaking into our neighborhood at night.

you sure those coyotes are not smelling the dead fish between your legs? 

 

(sorry, couldn't resist)

[lickin_starfish 1,893]

3 hours ago, peenie said:

It’s making scratching sounds right now. It sounds like a squirrel  

I can’t see anything in my gutters from the lawn. I went into the attic and it’s all foam, no critters. But I can hear it. It’s like scratching, kind of loud. 

Do I call pest control? 

Thread consensus is that you have dead skin making a nest in your attic. Sell your house and rent it from the new owner until they clean the vents, then buy your house back and become 40% wealthier.

[weepaws 3,157]

6 minutes ago, WhiteWonder said:

you sure those coyotes are not smelling the dead fish between your legs? 

 

(sorry, couldn't resist)

What a piece of

[weepaws 3,157]

3 minutes ago, lickin_starfish said:

Thread consensus is that you have dead skin making a nest in your attic. Sell your house and rent it from the new owner until they clean the vents, then buy your house back and become 40% wealthier.

Winner. 

[Ron_Artest 1,065]

Horseman is scared of dead skin

[The Psychic Observer 496]

4 hours ago, Horseman said:

Wait until you're sick to find the mold, brilliant.    Thanks for proving my point.

And no, home inspectors aren't going to find leaks in the ductwork.  

Your point is that you don't want to breath in the former owners dead skin.  That's very strange.