SCOTTSDALE, AZ (AZFamily) — A Scottsdale family heard scratching above their heads and called an exterminator expecting rats or a raccoon. Instead, they found bobcats living in their attic.
Verner Swenson with
Critter Evictors Wildlife Control was called to investigate the strange noises.
“We saw some eyes glowing back at us and we realized very quickly it wasn’t a raccoon, it was bobcats,” Swenson said.
Swenson said his company typically deals with rats in attics, but this call was different. He recorded video showing the bobcats had turned the attic into a den.
“It’s hard to say how many were in there. We did see mom and then heard a couple things crawling around in the back,” Swenson said.
Bobcats hunt in neighborhoods
According to the
Arizona Game and Fish Department, bobcats will sometimes hunt for meals in neighborhoods or even make dens.
“They’re looking for mainly like the bigger birds that we tend to feed, our doves, quail and stuff like that we see in our neighborhoods,” said Darren Julian, urban wildlife specialist for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “But also rabbits and rodents, things like that. Occasionally they’ll prey on small dogs.”
Bobcats may visit an area to find food, water, shelter or the space they need to live, according to Arizona Game and Fish. Food may include birds, rodents, rabbits, poultry, other small livestock and small unattended pets. Water in pools, birdbaths, fountains and pets’ water dishes can attract bobcats.
