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Identifying the specific animal running on your roof at night can be challenging without direct observation. Common nocturnal roof visitors include raccoons, squirrels, opossums, and rats. Raccoons are bigger and can create heavy thumping sounds. Squirrels are agile and may produce rapid scurrying noises. Opossums tend to move stealthily with less noise. Rats can make scratching or gnawing sounds. To determine the culprit, look for signs like footprints, droppings, or damaged areas near the roof. For accurate identification, consult a pest control professional or set up wildlife cameras near potential entry points.

While it may cost more to hire an exterminator than trying to treat the problem yourself, a professional is worth hiring if you have a major infestation. If the problem is severe and the ants are causing damage to your home, then DIY methods may not be as effective as a professional treatment. Plus, if you have carpenter or fire ants it’s best not to risk the damage they can cause to your home.

Spraying for mosquitos is better than fogging. A mosquito barrier spray is designed to linger on surfaces and kill mosquitos for up to three weeks, and repeated visits from your pest control pro can keep mosquitos out of your yard all season long. Fogging is a short-term fix that only works for about 72 hours and doesn't kill mosquito larvae or eggs. If you’re concerned about the environment, a natural mosquito repellant may be better than either fogging or spraying.

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.