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Attempting to squish a scorpion by hand or foot isn’t a good idea, as many can flatten themselves and survive a simple strike—plus, they’ll be provoked and very likely to sting. Instead, it's best to use a sharp or heavy object to pierce or crush the exoskeleton with force. Always wear protective clothing, including thick gloves, pants, and closed-toe shoes, to avoid being stung. Use long tweezers, scissors, or a knife to pierce the exoskeleton or crush it with a heavy object, making sure to twist or press down firmly to ensure the scorpion is truly dead.

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.

Voles are pretty prolific breeders, managing to squeeze in 5 to 10 litters a year, and each litter usually has around 3 to 5 little ones. These furry creatures are flexible with their love lives, as they can breed all year round, though spring and summer are their prime times. If they're living it up in warmer areas, voles don't take a break and keep reproducing non-stop.

Consider making some noise if you're looking for a straightforward way to put a damper on excessive frog croaking. You don't need to orchestrate a symphony—simple actions like stomping or clapping with gusto can work wonders. You can also try blasting music, but that won't help you make friends with your neighbors. A simpler solution might be learning to live with it. You can try soundproofing your bedroom with heavy-duty noise-reducing curtains.