If you suspect there are raccoons in your ceiling at your Bartlett, TN home, you may notice certain noises that can help distinguish them from other common pests like rats, mice, or squirrels. Raccoons are larger animals, and as a result, the sounds they create tend to be heavier and more substantial. You might hear thumping or thudding noises, often resembling footsteps, as raccoons move around in your attic or ceiling space. These sounds can be especially prominent during the night because raccoons are primarily nocturnal creatures.  Rodents like rats and mice produce lighter, high-pitched, and rapid noises, which can sound like scurrying or scratching. Squirrels, while also larger than rodents, create noises that are faster and more erratic than the deliberate movements of raccoons.