November 2026 Newsletter
Cooler nights can bring unwanted guests closer to home. Here's how to recognize the clues without jumping to conclusions.
From the Desk of Tom
You settle in for the evening, the house gets quiet, and then you hear it: a little scratching, some scurrying, or something moving above your head.
You pause the television. The noise stops. You turn it back on. There it goes again.
Before you start charging rent to whoever moved into the ceiling, the first step is figuring out what's actually there.
Mice, squirrels, and other animals can use sheltered areas of a home, but noises can also come from plumbing, heating equipment, or branches brushing against the building. Even when an animal is responsible, sound alone rarely tells the whole story.
This month, we're focusing on what those noises might mean, what you can safely observe, and why finding the entry point matters just as much as addressing the activity inside.
Tom Drapeau
Freedom Pest Control
Freedom Pest Control
Pest of the Month: Mice
Mice can remain well hidden. You might hear movement in a wall or ceiling without ever seeing one cross the floor.
They travel through concealed spaces around pipes, wiring, and framing. Small openings around foundations, doors, siding, and utility lines can provide access. Once established indoors, mice can remain active year-round.
What to Look For
- Droppings in cabinets, garages, basements, or storage areas.
- Gnaw marks on food packaging or stored belongings.
- Shredded paper, fabric, or insulation.
- Repeated scratching or movement, particularly after dark.
Reduce the Attraction
Keep pet food, birdseed, and pantry items in sturdy containers with tight-fitting lids. Clean up spills and reduce clutter along walls so signs of activity are easier to spot.
An effective response considers the animals already inside, the openings they use, and the conditions supporting them.
Your Ceiling-Noise Questions Answered
Sounds provide clues, but an inspection is needed to confirm the source. Insulation, framing, and ceiling materials can change how loud or heavy an animal sounds.
Yes. Mice and flying squirrels are generally active at night, while gray and red squirrels are more commonly active during daylight hours. Timing helps guide an inspection, but it isn't proof by itself.
Absolutely. Notice whether it happens when the heat starts, someone runs water, or the wind picks up. Those patterns may point toward a mechanical or building-related cause.
If animals may already be inside, have the situation assessed before closing an active entry point. The removal and exclusion work needs to be coordinated so animals aren't trapped in the building.
Describe when the noise happens, where you hear it, and whether it stays in one spot or moves. Mention any droppings, damaged materials, or visible openings. A short recording may help, although it won't replace an inspection.
Rodent Watch: Rats and Winter Shelter
Winter preparation should include a look around the outside of the house. Accessible garbage, spilled birdseed, stored pet food, and sheltered areas near the foundation can support rat activity.
Keep trash containers tightly closed, clean up beneath bird feeders, and move stored materials away from the building where practical. Look for new burrows, gnaw marks, or repeated activity around sheds, decks, and foundations.
If you notice changes, tell your technician. Those outside clues can be just as useful as the sounds you hear indoors.
Animal of the Month: Flying Squirrels
Not every nighttime noise is a mouse.
Flying squirrels are nocturnal and may use attics as shelter. During colder weather, they can share nesting spaces to conserve warmth, so overhead activity may involve more than one animal.
Because they are active after dark, many homeowners never see them outside. Their presence may first become noticeable through movement in the attic or ceiling.
Proper identification matters. A wildlife inspection looks for evidence of the animal and potential access points around the roofline, vents, and other openings. That information helps determine an appropriate removal and exclusion plan.
November Homeowner Tip: Keep a Simple Noise Log
If you hear something overhead, jot down a few details over the next day or two:
- When: Evening, overnight, early morning, or daytime?
- Where: Above which room or along which wall?
- What: Scratching, quick scurrying, gnawing, or heavier movement?
- What else: Was the heat running, water flowing, or wind blowing?
Take photos of visible clues from a safe location. You don't need to climb onto the roof or enter an unfamiliar attic to provide useful information.
These observations help us focus the inspection and understand what you're experiencing.
Thank You for Making Us Part of Your Community
As Thanksgiving approaches, we want to thank you for trusting Freedom Pest Control with your home and property.
We've been serving Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire since 1993, and we're grateful for the relationships we've built along the way.
If something overhead has you wondering, we're here to help identify the source and explain the next step.
Wishing you and your family a happy Thanksgiving.
Tom and the Freedom Pest Control Team
Tom and the Freedom Pest Control Team
Talk to Our Team
Not Sure What You're Seeing?
Seasonal pest and wildlife activity is predictable — but it's not always easy to tell what's normal and what isn't. If something seems off, it's worth taking a closer look. Learn more by requesting an evaluation below!