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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.

Hawk attacks on pets are rare, and they won’t target animals that outweigh them. Hawks typically weigh between one and three pounds. That means you don’t need to worry if you have a Labrador Retriever or French Bulldog. However, small cats and toy breed dogs, like Chihuahuas, are at risk. Pet attacks are more likely in winter when food is scarce or in the early summer when inexperienced young hawks are honing their hunting skills.

In most cases, a mother bird will return to a disturbed nest after the disturbance has passed. However, it can be hard for a mother bird to find a relocated nest. So, while it’s false that a mother bird will abandon her nest if it’s been disturbed, it’s not a good idea to relocate a nest with live babies or eggs in it.

It is possible, though unlikely, that a home insurance policy will help cover the costs of professional bat removal. However, some policies will chip in for guano removal and associated repairs, such as replacing drywall. Take some time to read the fine print of your homeowner’s insurance policy and call your provider to inquire about bat removal, guano removal, and related repairs.