Once the animals and their young are out of the house, remove the nest and locate any entry points. Some may be difficult to find because some animals can fit through very small holes. Once you’ve located as many entry points as possible, use materials such as metal or masonry to block off the entry. Ideally, you should choose materials that most animals cannot chew through. Create a one-way door or flap to allow animals to leave but not return. Additional methods include using repellants designed to make an area unappealing to the types of animals that find your home so inviting. 

Since fleas are so tiny, the best way to find them is with a very thorough search. Focus on two specific areas. First, look where your pets spend lots of time sleeping or playing, which is where fleas are likely to linger. Second, look at ground-level fabrics like carpet, furniture upholstery and similar spots where it’s easy for fleas to hide. While you’re probably worried about fleas inside your home, it’s a good idea to check outdoors around patios or outdoor chairs to see if fleas are congregating in specific spots. 

Yes, mulch can attract pests. Spiders, centipedes, and ants are some common pests that are attracted to mulch. You can avoid infestation by laying your bags of mulch in the heat for a few hours or by using an inorganic mulch, as it’s less attractive to pests.

Common signs of a flea infestation include pets scratching or grooming excessively, itching and irritation affecting both pets and people, and visible flea bites or red spots on the skin. You might also see live fleas on your pets or find dark specks in their fur, known as 'flea dirt,' which is flea feces.