Rats, squirrels, or birds?
Sounds in the roof are alarming but rarely diagnostic on their own. Roof rats, Cape grey squirrels, and roosting birds all produce sounds from the same location — but the timing, sound character, physical evidence, and appropriate response are completely different. Getting this wrong means paying for a rodent programme when you need bird exclusion, or monitoring a squirrel while rats establish a colony in the same space.
Quick comparison
| Evidence | Roof rat | Squirrel | Bird |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active hours | After dark (10 pm – 3 am) | Daylight only (7 am – 6 pm) | Dawn and dusk |
| Sound profile | Scratching, rapid scurrying, gnawing | Thudding, bouncing, rolling | Rustling, cooing, vocalising |
| Droppings | Spindle-shaped, 6–8mm, tapered | Oval, 8–12mm, rounder | White-grey with liquid component |
| Cable gnawing | Yes — fire risk | Rarely | No |
| Grease marks | Yes — along beam routes | No | No |
| Urgency | High | Medium | Low |
Roof rat (Rattus rattus)
Black rat, ship rat, tree rat
Active hours
Primarily nocturnal — sounds after dark, peak activity 10 pm – 3 am
Sound profile
Scratching, scurrying, and light gnawing. Rapid movement along beams. Occasionally squeaking.
Droppings
Spindle-shaped, 6–8mm, tapered at both ends, black when fresh — clustered along travel routes on beams and ceiling plates
Structural damage
Cable gnawing (fire risk), grease marks on beams and rafters, nesting in insulation
Confirm this if you also see:
- Scratching and scurrying sounds after dark — often stops when you get up and then resumes
- Spindle-shaped droppings along ceiling joists or found in insulation
- Grease marks (dark smears from body oil) along regularly used beam surfaces
- Cable sheathing fragments in the roof void, gnaw marks on electrical cable
- Urine odour (ammonia-like) in confined roof void areas with nesting
- Nesting material: shredded insulation, chewed cardboard, fabric
Rule this out if:
- Sounds occur exclusively during daylight hours
- No droppings, no grease marks, and no gnaw evidence after roof void inspection
- Only soft rustling or flapping, no rapid footfall or gnawing
Appropriate response
Rodent removal programme (bait stations in roof void and exterior) plus exclusion: seal all entry points above 10mm after population is controlled.
Methodology: exclusion-first programme: why sealing entry points must follow, not precede, population controlCape grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
Eastern grey squirrel (introduced species in Western Cape)
Active hours
Strictly diurnal — active 07:00–18:00 only; silent after dark
Sound profile
Bouncing, rolling, and thudding sounds. Heavier and more irregular than rat scurrying. Occasional chattering vocalisations.
Droppings
Larger and more oval than rat droppings — 8–12mm, rounder, less tapered
Structural damage
Roof insulation displacement, ventilation duct obstruction, gnawing of fascia and roof tiles at entry points — rarely cable damage
Confirm this if you also see:
- Sounds occur only during daylight hours — absent at night
- Bouncing or thudding sounds heavier than rat scurrying
- Entry via roof gaps adjacent to large trees or canopy access
- Oval droppings larger than rat droppings
- Nesting material concentrated at entry points rather than throughout the roof void
- No cable gnaw damage, no grease marks on beams
Rule this out if:
- Sounds continue after dark
- Spindle-shaped rat droppings are present
- Grease marks or cable sheathing damage is found
Appropriate response
Exclusion is the primary response: seal all entry points. Squirrel trapping may be required first if the animal cannot exit naturally. Do not use rodent bait stations — risk of secondary poisoning to raptors.
Roosting birds
Pigeons (Columba livia), sparrows, starlings, hadedas (Threskiornis aethiopicus)
Active hours
Sounds at dawn (05:00–08:00) and dusk (17:00–20:00); quiet during the night and mid-day
Sound profile
Fluttering, rustling, cooing, and bird vocalisations. Hadedas: loud ibis call. No gnawing sounds.
Droppings
White-grey liquid component with dark centre — bird droppings are visually distinct from rodent droppings; found beneath entry points or roost locations
Structural damage
Minimal structural damage; blocked gutters and ventilation from nesting; secondary mite infestations from bird nests
Confirm this if you also see:
- Sounds concentrated at dawn and dusk — quiet at other times
- Bird vocalisations audible from inside (cooing, chirping, hadeda calls)
- Nesting material (twigs, feathers, grass, leaves) at or near roof entry points
- White-grey droppings with liquid component at entry holes or below roof edges
- No gnaw damage to cables or timber surfaces
Rule this out if:
- Sounds are consistent throughout the night
- Gnaw damage, grease marks, or mammal droppings are present
- Activity is completely silent between 08:00 and 17:00
Appropriate response
Physical exclusion: bird netting, spikes, or wire mesh at entry points. Nest removal should occur outside the breeding season. Separate to pest control — typically a specialised bird-proofing service.
Methodology: survey, proofing options, and protected-species considerations for roosting bird removalWhen to request a roof void inspection
If you cannot identify droppings or grease marks yourself, or if the roof void is inaccessible, a professional inspection is the only reliable way to confirm the species. A pest controller will access the void, identify active runways and nesting sites, confirm species from physical evidence, and recommend the correct exclusion and control approach.
Common questions
Not sure what is in your roof?
A roof void inspection will confirm species, identify entry points, assess cable and structural damage, and determine the correct control or exclusion approach.
Request an inspection