Animal in the ceiling

[KnightWhoSaysNi]

There is an animal in the space between the ceiling and the roof in my loft dormer. I don't know if it's trapped in there or living there on purpose. It runs around making sounds and then stops.

How would I go about removing it from there?
The ceiling has downlights, so I guess I could take one of the lights out and peek into it. But I don't know where the animal is.

Other options... a trap with poison inserted through a downlight. Or an ultrasonic animal repellers. Would one work if plugged into a socket in the room, or would the sound not pass through the ceiling?

 

[Stivino]

It could be a starling or a house sparrow. Just hope that it hasn't got four legs.

 

[HERTS P&D]

Andy

 

[HERTS P&D]

It could be a starling or a house sparrow. Just hope that it hasn't got four legs.

Or 8 large ones



Andy

 

[KnightWhoSaysNi]

Is it likely to go away on its own?

How could it gave got in there in the first place?

 

[HERTS P&D]

Hole or gap in facia /soffit.

Andy

 

[Stivino]

Is it likely to go away on its own?

How could it gave got in there in the first place?

No, you'll have to deal with it.

 

[Tigercubrider]

Does it hop or scramble? Sound like it is wearing clogs?
I had a squirrel once. Very noisy especially if you banged on the wall.

If it's big, poison is a no no unless you can find the body.
Although after a lady I worked with found a dead rat in an inaccessible spot, she bought a bag of "something" that dried out the body and masked the smell

 

[Old Salt]

Take out a downlight and try a cheap endoscope/camera from fleabay

 

[HERTS P&D]

Take out a downlight and film with an iphone.

Andy

 

[Old Salt]

Take out a downlight and film with an iphone.

Andy

Or an android phone

 

[mattylad]

move house...

 

[Mike13]

Mice have very shallow skulls and can get in through some quite slim gaps. Try blocking up EVERY gap you can find between the outside world and that space. I found stainless steel wool for car exhausts can be cut with scissors and squeezed into any gaps found. Dont try the China supplied "Stainless" I have the rust stains on the roof to prove it usually isnt stainless steel.

 

[KnightWhoSaysNi]

Thanks for the ideas.

Any thoughts on the ultrasonic repellents that you plug into a wall socket? Perhaps I could wire one into a downlight to bring it closer to where it's needed?

Also, do you think a mouse trap could work? Granted, it may be something bigger. I've seen a squirrel climb the pebbledashed wall with Spiderman's ease.

 

[Stivino]

Better to find out what you're dealing with first.