What’s the most annoying sound in the world? This clip above from Dumb and Dumber is close, but I would say critters, such as rodents, roaming in the attic in the middle of the night is an annoying sound all homeowners dread.

Noises In The Attic

Have you ever heard the pitter-patter of tiny feet running across your attic floor as you are lying in bed? If you have, then you are familiar with the dread and fear of the unknown. As you lay in bed, your mind races a million miles an hour thinking of what must be lurking above you. At 3 A.M., the very last thing you want to do is crawl up into the attic to see what’s happening. If this has ever happened to you, then you need to have Lavis from Purple Care come and figure out what’s happening.

Years ago, my great grandmother had come to visit me. I was in my twenties, a new homeowner, and thought I pretty much knew everything. As soon as she got out of her truck, she said to me, “Matt, you need to cover the vent pipes on your house. You need to put some screens on them so critters don’t get caught!” To which I replied, “Sure Grandma, I’ll get right on that!”

Months later, my two-year-old daughter was being toilet trained. She went into the bathroom, used the commode, and flushed. As she flushed, she let out a blood-curdling scream—a scream no parent wants to hear. Without hesitation, I flew into the bathroom to see a dripping wet, crazed squirrel flying around the bathroom like only a wild squirrel can. My daughter ran screaming and crying from the bathroom in disbelief that a creature could come up from the depths of the toilet. Toilet training had taken a step backwards at this moment in her life. I quickly caught the squirrel and got it out of the house.

Later that day, I went to the hardware store and purchased vent covers and followed my grandma’s advice. I never doubted my grandmother again.

Thinking of this got me thinking about the work Lavis does for Purple Care. I began to wonder if he has had similar experiences in helping others rid their homes of unwanted pests. Lavis and I had a chance to talk about some of the things he has seen during his long and lustrous pest control career.

Interview With Lavis Roberson

Lavis Roberson joined Purple Care in 2017 and is our Director of Pest Control. With over 20 years of pest control industry experience, he has proven to be a consummate professional who has advanced from estimator to upper management within some of the most notable companies in Texas. Below are his answers to some frequently asked pest questions.

What kind of flying insects are you seeing out in the field right now?

This winter has been very warm and moist. We are still seeing mosquitoes buzzing around. Inside, you may still notice crickets and water bugs. If you see any of these, give us a ring and we will take care of them.

What causes animals to look for shelter in an attic during wintertime?

During the colder months, pest seek shelter from the cold. Attics often provide a warm, hidden, dry shelter for hibernation and protection from enemies.

What are some warning signs that your house may be under attack by critters?

Noises in the attic or walls, pungent smells, gnaw marks on the roof edge, and claw marks.

What is the craziest thing you have ever seen in someone’s attic?

Snakes, raccoons, squirrels, and bats—I have seen it all! There is nothing that scares me in an attic!

Has there ever been a critter that you were unable to catch?

One time, I had an alpha rat that learned how to avoid abatement. At first, he was smart enough to not eat the bait, but in the end, Lavis always gets them!

Why do we have these unwanted guests in the wintertime and what can be done to prevent them?

Be sure to close up all entry points from the roof to the slab. Many people have entry points and are not even aware.

What kind of services do we offer to help homeowners catch unwelcome visitors?

We offer wildlife trapping and animal exclusions. We trap and release back into the wild, so no animals are harmed.

Give us a call at (817) 880-6052 to schedule pest control service!