Get matched with top bird control service pros in Walpole, NH

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.

Metal coil-shaped retriever tools (around $50) help remove empty nests and debris from chimneys. Unless you are sure the nest is vacant, we recommend calling in a pro to handle bird’s nest removal from chimneys, vents, roofs, and other hard-to-reach places.

Numerous predators kill hornets, including frogs, birds, lizards, bats, spiders, and hedgehogs. Some larger predators, including rats, skunks, and racoons, will occasionally attack a hornet nest in order to eat the larvae inside. These natural predators typically don’t eat enough hornets to make them an effective form of hornet control. 

DIY animal removal is rarely a good idea and is not advised for many reasons. First, these types of animals can carry diseases and, therefore, pose a health risk to you, your family, and your pets if mishandled. Second, depending on your city or municipality, it may be illegal to remove or handle wildlife yourself. 

Sealing your home against these animals yourself is also a bad idea. Trapping an animal under your house will cause odor and insect problems when it passes away.