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While many pests like rats, mice, ants, cockroaches, silverfish, and bed bugs can damage your home, termites are among the most destructive. By sheer dollar amount, the damage from a bad termite infestation is unparalleled, as they can ruin walls, floors, roofs, and wooden support materials, potentially requiring massive reconstruction. Other highly destructive pests include rodents, carpenter ants, and bees that build hives within walls. If you spot signs of termites or other pests, you should hire an exterminator immediately.

Like any other animal, rats are attracted to food sources, water, and shelter. Clean up food messes right away, don’t leave pet food out, and secure your garbage to make your home less appealing. Fix leaky pipes and dripping faucets, and declutter spaces that rats might think to nest in.

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. German cockroaches are masters at hiding. If you notice one cockroach, especially in daytime hours, it’s very likely that other roaches aren’t far behind, or that the problem is growing. You don’t even need to see roaches to have warning bells go off: Many homeowners discover roach problems by noticing specks of droppings on the floor or roach smells.