If you’re hearing scurrying, scratching, or thumping on your roof at night, the most common tree squirrels (gray and red squirrels) probably aren’t the culprits. Those species sleep in their nests after dark. The nighttime noises you’re hearing likely come from flying squirrels, raccoons, roof rats, or bats, all of which are genuinely nocturnal and regularly use roofs and attics as shelter.
Why Common Squirrels Aren’t Your Nighttime Problem
Gray squirrels and red squirrels are diurnal, meaning they’re active during the day and asleep at night. They build nests called dreys out of twigs, branches, and leaves, usually positioned in the forks of tree branches. Sometimes they build these nests in attics or along exterior walls, but even then, they settle in after dark. Most of their natural predators are nocturnal, so staying hidden at night is a survival strategy.
If you’re hearing noises on your roof during daylight hours, especially in the early morning or late afternoon, gray or red squirrels are a strong possibility. But consistent nighttime activity points to something else entirely.
Flying Squirrels: The Likely Suspect
Flying squirrels are the only nocturnal tree squirrels in North America, and they’re far more common in attics than most people realize. The southern flying squirrel lives in forests and wooded yards across the eastern United States. They’re roughly the size of a chipmunk and glide between trees using flaps of skin stretched between their front and back legs.
These squirrels are highly social and live in colonies of up to 20 animals. If one has moved into your roof, others are almost certainly there too. They typically enter homes in late fall as temperatures drop, seeking warmth. Once inside, they nest in attics, exterior walls, and between floors, often shredding insulation to build their nests. Homeowners with flying squirrel stowaways commonly hear them scurrying around or coming and going after midnight.
The sounds they make are distinctive: light, rapid scurrying plus low, soft chirping or clucking. They’re much quieter than raccoons but more active than mice, and the noise tends to come from overhead rather than inside walls. You can confirm their presence by inspecting your roofline for chew marks and small entry points. A flying squirrel can squeeze through a hole as small as 1.25 inches in diameter.
Other Nighttime Roof Visitors
Several other animals produce roof noises at night, and the type of sound is your best clue to identifying them.
- Raccoons are the loudest option. At 20 pounds or more, they produce heavy thumping, banging, and knocking that sounds like a small dog walking around overhead. They can rip off roof shingles and break through fascia boards to create entry points. In spring, a mother raccoon may move into your attic to give birth, and you’ll hear mewing or crying sounds from the kits that eventually turn into thumping and light snarls as the babies grow.
- Roof rats and mice produce a light pitter-patter of footsteps along with scratching, scurrying, and gnawing sounds. You may also hear high-pitched squeaking, especially if babies are present. At night, when everything else is quiet, these sounds seem amplified. Rats and mice become active around dusk and spend the night searching for food and water.
- Bats make squeaks, chirps, and a distinctive fluttering sound. They often chirp at night or just before sunrise. Bats can enter through a hole the size of a dime, so even well-maintained roofs can be vulnerable. They commonly move into homes to give birth or to escape winter cold.
The Damage They Can Cause
Whatever animal is on or inside your roof, ignoring it risks serious property damage. Squirrels and rodents gnaw constantly, and their targets include wood framing, insulation, stored documents, and electrical wiring. Chewed electrical wires create a genuine fire hazard. In severe infestations, inspectors have found multiple chewed wires running alongside gas lines, a combination that could be catastrophic. Flying squirrels tear apart insulation to build nests, reducing your home’s energy efficiency and leaving droppings that accumulate over time.
Raccoons cause a different type of damage. Their size and strength let them tear open soffits, rip shingles, and compromise your roof’s structural integrity. Their droppings can carry parasites that pose health risks. The longer any of these animals remain, the more expensive the repairs become.
How To Get Them Out Safely
The first step is a thorough inspection of your attic, roofline, soffits, fascia, gable vents, and ridge vents. You’re looking for every entry point, signs of nesting, and evidence of damage. For flying squirrels, remember that the gaps they use are significantly smaller than what gray squirrels need, so you’ll need to examine the entire structure carefully.
For gray squirrels, professionals typically use live cage traps or one-way eviction doors. A one-way door is a device installed over the entry point that lets squirrels push out to leave but prevents them from getting back in. Once all animals have exited, the door is removed and the opening is sealed. This method works best for brand-new problems. For established colonies or during baby season (typically spring), one-way doors often backfire because the squirrels will chew new holes to get back to their nests or young.
Flying squirrels require a different approach because of their colony size. Professionals seal the entire structure down to one or two exit points, then focus trapping efforts there. All entry points are eventually closed with chew-resistant materials. Trapped females are checked for signs of nursing to confirm no babies are left behind.
For raccoons and other larger animals, live trapping and relocation is standard. Relocated squirrels are typically moved a minimum of 20 miles away to prevent them from finding their way back.
Preventing a Return Visit
Once animals are removed, sealing entry points with professional-grade materials is essential. Regular steel mesh or caulk won’t hold up against determined chewers. Trim tree branches that hang within 6 to 8 feet of your roof, since flying squirrels can glide considerable distances and gray squirrels are excellent jumpers. Inspect your roofline at least twice a year, paying close attention to areas where different building materials meet, as these joints often develop gaps over time. Keeping attic spaces well-lit can also discourage nocturnal animals from settling in, since they prefer dark, undisturbed areas for nesting.