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Rats are nocturnal creatures, meaning they are most active at night, typically from late evening through the early morning. They use the cover of darkness to explore, forage for food, and find water, as they feel safer and can avoid daytime predators and human activity. Their sharp senses, including keen night vision and hearing, are well-suited for navigating in the dark. Because they prefer to stay hidden during the day in secluded areas like walls or attics, you are more likely to spot signs of their presence—such as droppings or gnaw marks—before you see an actual rat.

Paper wasps, like many other wasps, are attracted to sweet smells that remind them of nectar. That’s why wasps may buzz around you as you snack on watermelon on the patio. They may also like the scent of certain perfumes. Standing water attracts these wasps, too.

Paper wasps are also attracted to warm, sheltered spaces, where they can build nests and raise larva in protected areas away from predators. They may also be attracted to untreated wood on your deck or fence, as they use wood pulp to build nests.

Scorpions can climb walls with rough surfaces (like stucco siding). They need something to grip onto, which is why they can easily climb on clothes, comforters on beds, and other items in your home.

However, it’s worth noting that scorpions cannot climb clean glass. So if you have a hole or damaged area where scorpions are coming in, a temporary fix may be to secure a piece of glass over the area.

Even if you have extreme ophidiophobia (fear of snakes), don’t try to shoot or kill them with a shovel. Besides being pretty cruel, killing snakes in most states is illegal unless your life is at risk and many species are protected. 

Plus, you're putting yourself at greater risk using these techniques if it goes wrong and the now-angry snake is venomous.