What can this sound be?

We have a very old wooden garage - the roof is sagging a bit and it doesn't look like the most structurally sound thing ever.

Last night, DH and I were in the yard and we heard a noise coming form the garage - all around the perimeter. It sounds like a crunching sound - almost like how it sounds in your head when you're chewing crackers or cereal, but more muted. There are no signs of carpenter ants or termites or any other bugs that we can see. We do have a couple of bees that hang out at the peak in front of our garage, but bees don't eat wood, do they?

I'm going to call the exterminator tomorrow, but just figured I'd ask on here to see if anyone had any ideas as to what it might be....

Thanks!

Re: What can this sound be?

you most likely won't hear insects making sounds. It might be mice or a rat.

Re: What can this sound be?

Re: What can this sound be?

I take it back. Might be Carpenter Ants or maybe Carpenter Bees.


(From what I'm reading, you most likely won't hear termites.)

Message edited 5/25/2009 9:42:14 PM.

Re: What can this sound be?

definitely sounds like Carpenter Ants. My boss just had this same issue. Do you see little piles of sawdusts by any openings (windows, doors).

Re: What can this sound be?

It's probably carpenter bees (really big black bees). We just saw a bunch of them making holes in our deck and picnic table! And they were making the types of sounds you were describing. Try looking for almost perfectly round holes that are 1/4 inch in diameter and/or sawdust. If you see those things, it's probably what it is!