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The most common wasps are hornets, yellowjackets, and paper wasps. Both hornets and yellowjackets are black and yellow, and hornets are known to be more aggressive if their nests are disturbed. Paper wasps are black or reddish-brown with yellow markings and often build nests on eaves or branches. Of the more than 300,000 species of wasps, these are the most often encountered by pest control professionals.

Naturally get rid of gnats by luring them into a homemade trap with sweet-smelling items from around the house. Cover a bowl with plastic wrap, place a paper cone in a jar, or simply leave a wine bottle with a bit of residue on the bottom. Each of these traps will attract remaining gnats and keep them from spreading.

Raccoons are primarily crepuscular and nocturnal, meaning they are most active at dawn, dusk, and throughout the night. While less common, they may come out during the day to find food, especially in warm months or during the spring birthing season (April and May) when caring for their young. Seasonally, raccoons are active year-round and do not truly hibernate. However, during periods of severe cold, they will often remain in their dens for extended periods.

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.