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If flying ants have taken up residence in your home, they’re likely nesting near water leaks. Check for signs of flying ants near your bathtub, windows, doors, and sinks.

While water bugs are considered generally harmless to humans, they can bite humans if threatened. Cockroaches are often incorrectly mistaken for water bugs. In this case, cockroaches can bite but are unlikely to bite humans. 

Water bug bites can be very painful and cause symptoms such as redness, swelling, and allergic reaction. Bites will usually heal on their own. However, if you experience severe symptoms or an allergic reaction, seek medical help immediately.

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.

This varies based on the circumstance. Chemical-based pest control baits and poisons are usually the most potent, but they are unsafe to use around children and pets, so they won’t be a fit for every household.

Safer alternatives, such as boric acid and food-grade diatomaceous earth, can work as well, though they should still stay out of reach. Aside from that, the best thing any DIY-er can do is make their place uninviting by sealing off entry points, eliminating clutter, and maintaining a clean home.