Scratching in the walls/ceilings

[Topcat]

Hi. We live in suburbia, west of Brisbane, and we have something in our roof that 'scratches' and 'gnaws' (loudly) at night time. We have set 'mouse traps' and 'rat traps', and 'opossum traps', but we have never caught anything. We even put our two cats up there, for a day, and it did go quiet for a time, but the sounds are back. We have put 'baits' up there, and they are untouched. We have annual inspections for Termites and we have been 'cleared' on that score. (We do have lots of Ghekos, though.) Do cockroaches make a sound like they are chewing wood to splinters?

Has anyone else had this problem? What did it turn out to be? How was the problem resolved?

I'd love to hear from anyone.

Community manager's note: Check out How to deter possums from your roof for expert advice.

[Jason]

Welcome to Workshop @Topcat. We hope you find the community useful for information and advice, and also have plenty of fun. Please let me know if you need any help getting the most from the site. 

Sorry to read of your pest problem. I believe its a common issue at this time of year. I'm sure community members will be keen to add their suggestions and thoughts. You might also be interested in this discussion: Electric rodent repeller.

Jason

[Topcat]

" You might also be interested in this discussion: Electric rodent repeller."

Thanks for the link, Jason. A very interesting 'read'.

[CathD]

@Topcat

If its a possum, there are some suggestions on this discussion - https://www.workshop.com.au/t5/Gardening/Your-tips-for-keeping-possums-away/m-p/1285

[rlogie]

I had a similar problem when I lived at Nathan. Turned out to be rattus rattus (Black rat) ... I would suggest a trap to catch them rather than bait as with a trap you know where the remains are and can remove them ...

[Jason]

Thanks for joining in the discussion and a very warm welcome to Workshop @rlogie. It's great to have you join us. I look forward to reading about your plans and projects. Please let me know if you need a hand getting the most from the site. 

Jason

[RickyH]

We get something similar from time to time in our Sydney home.  Rattus rattus is the villan.  I use the ratsack that comes in paper packets and put it in the ceiling and any wall cavities that I can access so I avoid my dog coming in contact with the bait (she's never yet made it into the ceiling space!!!).  I also put peanut butter on the outside of the paper sachets to lure them to eat it - being careful not to double dip into the peanut butter jar.  Works well even though their cousins do come to visit from time to time.  

Good luck.  It's an ongoing war.

[Baretta11]

Sounds more like possums to me and they probably won't eat rat bait!

[Kermit]

Do possums tend to get into walls and ceilings? I know they're often dancing on the roof at night but do they tend to seek shelter inside? 

[RickyH]

I agree with Kermit. Possums sound really loud. I have occasionally seen some living in a roof spaces here in Sydney, both residential and commercial. If this is going on, they will probably leave very smelly urine & large stains showing through to the ceiling of your room/s. This is both ugly and stinky.