My elderly mother-in-law had a squirrel in her attic. He built a huge nest, which my husband was able to get rid of (after the squirrel left). Looked like the squirrel used some things in the attic to build it's nest too! I would hire a professional to look into the matter!

Joanne. That is a good idea indeed.

Everyone read this! Then tell me of a good pest removal person!
http://www.wildlife.pro/attic-possum.html

GG:

All these guys are being helpful to you, and I'd get someone in to look, too.

But, I couldn't resist telling you and everyone else that, had the noises been in my Gardenia, I'd have definitely blamed them on my New Kitten. At nearly nine months, she's into absolutely everything and is finding new and innovative ways to destroy herself and Her Master even as I write! And she loves to "rattle the cage" in the wee dark hours!

SWR
:beer3:

GG -

Do you have Massey Pest Control? If so, you might give them a call.
They came to my rescue when my bird feeder was attracting rats. :22yikes::22yikes::22yikes:

Mickey, LMAO!! Am I getting a reputation here?? Yes, the younger the better... coool.. :1rotfl:

Julie, there is no animal I hate more than possums... They were all over LA that's why I recognized the poop...LOL...... EWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!

oh boy oh boy.
 

Thank you one and all. Very good suggestion indeed Islandgal. We will certainly do it first thing in the morning.

I do want to say that we have walked the perimeter of the house which is white and nothing LOOKED disturbed under the eaves. We are VERY careful not to leave anything in the garage that could attract bugs or critters. We also have all staples, flour, sugar and cereal in plastic containers, and I am a decent housekeeper.

But...we did bring a birdfeeder with us and set it up on Saturday...however the folks next door have a LOT of them.

Did the rats get in your attic, Island?

Boy Howdy! We have two threads goin' on here. One about Cougars and one about Possums!!

ANd Kathie...WHERE did you find the Possum poop? And Kathie...I am JUST KIDDIN' you a little!

GG -
No - they were just near the bird feeder at the back of the my courtyard - Massey placed a discreet enclosed trap near the feeder and they disappeared in about 6 weeks. Still have the bird feeder and no problems since that time. Fortunately I only saw one at a distance and immediately called Massey.
Will be anxious to know if your problem is solved.

bumping noises
 

I vote for either of the two possibilities mentioned before - racoons or waterpipes. If you've been gone and your water has been turned off, maybe there are air bubbles, or whatever sometimes makes those noises? Any plumbers in the audience? Usually, though, I only hear them after I have been using the sink or something. Doesn't sound like you were doing that.

Also, I used to live in an older condo, and my next door neighbors (on both sides) had racoons in their attics. Don't know how I got so lucky as to avoid it.

I heard the racoon once when I was visiting. Sounded exactly like your dog, scratching behind his ear (thumping his (elbow? knee?) on the ceiling. What do you call that joint on an animal?

Personally, I'd almost be afraid to check via the attic stairs. Might have a heart attack, fall off the stairs, and it would be all over. Seems like you should be able to see some outside evidence with a careful look.

Last December, my girlfriend and I were in my villa for a short visit, had left front and garage door open while unloading the car, and while we were at the table eating dinner, saw a mouse run from the MBR to the lanai door (which was closed) and back into the bedroom. That was bad enough. Ended well enough (for us, not for the mouse), but eek!

Make sure you don't put a boom box and strobe lights up there to scare them away.
You might end up with the teenagers from the square!
OOPs....thats the other thread

We have the same noise. Found out it was the palm tree frons thumping on the roof. But it does sound as if someone is dropping a box in the attic. we only hear it when there is a wind.

For nearly a year after we moved into our new house, we heard thumping in the attic. It was most distressing. Finally, I happened to be in the back of the house one day and the breeze was blowing. I looked up at the roof and I saw one of the metal caps on the attic vents dancing in the wind. When it got done dancing, it "thumped" back down.

I called the Villages warranty office which dispatched the roof vent crew and they found that of the four screws that were suppose to hold this cap in place, there was only one. They screwed it and the no more thumping.:D

Dancing with the vent~~~:1rotfl:

LMAO...:1rotfl:

Well now, Boy Howdy...I am at a loss for words.:024:

Noises
 

Just might be squirrels that have gotten into your attic.