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In most cases, a mother bird will return to a disturbed nest after the disturbance has passed. However, it can be hard for a mother bird to find a relocated nest. So, while it’s false that a mother bird will abandon her nest if it’s been disturbed, it’s not a good idea to relocate a nest with live babies or eggs in it.

To keep animals out, you must prevent them from entering. As long as they can get in, the problem will persist. That said, consider making your attic less inviting using deterrents like motion-activated lights or ultrasonic devices. Additionally, keeping a well-maintained, clean, and uncluttered attic that you regularly inspect for activity may make the space less attractive to critters.

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.

Some birds of prey, like owls, hunt at night. Hawks are diurnal and need good light to see their prey. You could see them circling anytime from dawn to dusk. Species like the common red-tailed hawk are most active in the early morning and late evening when their prey is also typically on the go.