Noises in Rental Basement Ceiling: Inspect Before Treating

Rental house tenants hear movement in finished basement ceiling at night. Landlord placed bait stations/traps outside—no activity after 3–4 days. Considers squirrels but thinks they're not nocturnal.

Critical Principle

Inspection must precede control. Noise = "something wrong," not "what's wrong."

Recommended Action

1. Take free inspection training at ICWDM
2. Systematically rule out candidates (mice, rats, squirrels, raccoons, bats, birds)
3. Only then consider control options

Why Squirrels Unlikely

Squirrels are diurnal. Night noises suggest mice, rats, raccoons, or flying squirrels.

Control info also at ICWDM site.