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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.

Yes, rats are social creatures that thrive together in packs. If you spot a solitary rat, there are likely more nearby. Their rapid breeding cycle and ability to slip through minute gaps in walls, floors, and foundations contribute to their presence. An infestation generally entails more than eight rats. A nest typically accommodates five to 10 of these rodents. When you spot one, it is crucial to take action. Rats can transmit diseases through urine droppings and even cause renal failure through bites.

Mites hate dry conditions, extreme temperatures, and specific scents. Since they prefer humid environments, eliminating moisture inside your home can help kill them off. If you have essential oils at your disposal, you can use eucalyptus, rosemary, and clove to help get rid of and keep mites at bay.

Skunks spray as a defense mechanism to ward off predators. The active ingredient in their sulfurous, oily musk is n-butyl mercaptan, which evaporates into a powerful and smelly gas. Once the spray hits the skunk’s target, the stench can linger for days, and water and common cleaning kits aren’t enough to wash it away.

If you happen upon a skunk in your yard, try to back away slowly to reduce the chance of them aiming at you. Encouragingly, they don’t use their weapon casually, as it can take up to 10 days for their life-saving weaponry to refill. Paw stamping, hissing, lifting their tail, and arching their back are early signs they feel trapped or under threat and that it’s time to make a careful retreat.