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Using chemicals with harsh odors is a natural way to repel bears. While the animal’s strong sense of smell is an asset in the animal kingdom, it’s a weakness here. Simply place bleach or ammonia in a bucket and leave it outside day or night. Ironically, bears also dislike the smell of pine, so you can use pine oil or a pine-based cleaning agent. Avoid using cleaning products with fruit or citrus smells, however.

It can be difficult to know what type of animal is in your attic until you see it. But several clues can help you narrow down the suspects:

• Sounds: Smaller animals like rats and mice make scurrying and tapping/gnawing sounds. Larger animals like raccoons and opossums make louder clambering noises. Also, note when animals are noisy: Squirrels are active during the day, while rats are busiest at night.

• Droppings: Rats and mice leave small, rice-shaped droppings (the rat’s version is significantly larger). Bigger droppings belong to larger critters like raccoons. As long as you’re not squeamish, an image search can help you identify what you’re seeing in your attic.

When in doubt, take photos of damage or other evidence and show them to an experienced pest control pro.

Foxes are primarily nocturnal, meaning you’re less likely to see one strutting onto your lawn in the middle of the day. However, daytime activity is more common if you have a female with her cubs on your property during the spring and summer. And you can see adaptable urban foxes at any time when regular food is available.

Yes, badgers are aggressive mammals, which is why it’s important to safely remove them from your home or garden area as soon as possible. Keep in mind though, badgers rarely attack pets or people, but their sharp claws and even sharper teeth can make them dangerous if they feel threatened.