How can I tell what kind of animal is in my attic?

• <div><p>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:</p><ul><li><p><b>Sounds</b>: 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.</p></li><li><p><b>Droppings</b>: 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.</p></li></ul><p>When in doubt, take photos of damage or other evidence and show them to an experienced pest control pro.</p></div>

Best pest control specialists near Brookneal, VA

Q: What is the best deterrent for birds?

• <div><p>No single deterrent will work 100 percent of the time, so we suggest combining deterrents to ensure your seed has the best possible chance to grow. Using bird netting over your seed, with physical deterrents like mylar tape coupled with hanging bird feeders at the edges of your growing area&mdash;and <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/bird-removal-cost.htm">removing any bird&rsquo;s nests</a>, if possible&mdash;will give your seeds the best possible chance for success.</p></div>

Q: Do wasps come back after their nest is gone?

• <div><p>If there is food sources and other places to build a nest, wasps may come back after their nest is gone. However, if you take measures to repel wasps, like planting pest-repellent plants or sealing cracks and gaps around the outside of your home, they aren&rsquo;t likely to return. Be diligent at checking for new nests each spring to get rid of them as soon as possible and prevent bigger swarms of wasps in your yard.</p></div>

Q: What does a rat nest look like?

• <div><p>A rat nest often looks like a messy, loosely formed pile hidden in a quiet spot. It may appear as a ball-shaped cluster or just a scattered heap made from shredded paper, fabric, insulation, leaves, twigs, and other soft materials. Rats gather whatever they can find nearby to build their nests, often tucking them away in walls, attics, or behind appliances for warmth and safety. </p></div>

Q: What methods are used by pros for termite control?

• <div><p>Chemical treatments, bait systems, and physical barriers are common approaches.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Pest Control pros in Brookneal, VA

*The Angi rating for Pest Control companies in Brookneal, VA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Pest Control needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Pest Control companies in Brookneal, VA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Pest Control needs.

Last update on November 22, 2025

Reviewed in November 2025
Arrived on time. He installed my kitchen and bathroom flooring and painted several rooms. Completed the job to my satisfaction. He is very polite and a very hard worker. Cleaned area when work was complete.
Clark's Home Solutions, LLC
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Reviewed in July 2025
A1 Duct Cleaning Services cleaned and sanitized two HVAC systems for me, plus performed mold mitigation. Mr. Thomas handled everything very professionally and thoroughly. I highly recommend this business.
A-1 Duct Cleaning Services
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Reviewed in June 2025
W&C Tree and Services were able to remove a big uprooted pine that was leaning towards my house, no one else would even give me a quote in my area. He was quick to respond back with me and the crew was respectful with all my needs and worries on the matter. High regards for their...
W & C Tree and Land Services
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Reviewed in May 2024
This is a great company to deal with. They are professional in every way from the office staff to the technicians. Highly recommend!
Landlock Pest Control
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Reviewed in January 2024
The guy was prompts took his time is doing quality work very knowledgeable about every step b performed.. Gave me good pointers as to maintaining the system
Premier HVAC Services, LLC
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Reviewed in December 2023
Very polite and professional Clean and organized group
Adam North America USA Holdings, Inc.
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Reviewed in August 2023
Got him to remove a couple shrubs for me, excellent service, I would definitely recommend
Silver Hill Handyman
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Reviewed in August 2023
I had a dripping shower valve issue which had been going on for quite some time. It was pouring hot water straight down the drain. To complicate matters was there was no access point for the water controls. Bethany at Strategic sent Antori out to diagnose what he needed, relayed that info to...
Strategic Heating & Air, Inc.
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Reviewed in July 2022
Easy to get along with and always by their phones. I hired Full Throttle Excavation & Grading to fix my driveway - an issue that other companies wouldn't fix and the pro looked at it like it was no problem.
Full Throttle Excavation & Grading
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Reviewed in April 2022
Chauncey is communicative, reliable, and does great work! We couldn't be happier with the drywall finishing work he did for us.
CW Drywall
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Top-Rated Pest control specialists in Brookneal - Updated Nov 2026

Terminix® Pest Control

3.9(

1,074

)

Pest Control - Bugs and InsectsPest Control - RodentsPest Control - Termite+6 more

Serving Brookneal, VA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1927

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Very knowledgeable guy who seem to know what he’s doing. Don’t know results of spraying. Have had much rain since. Will have to see if it worked. Terminex will spray again the beginning of next month."

56 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by81%of homeowners

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General Pest Exterminating

5.0(

)

Pest Control - Bed BugsPest Control - Bugs and InsectsPest Control - Bugs and Insects - For Business+4 more

Serving Brookneal, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2025

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"They were Very Fast and efficient. Took care of the Problem and were extremely polite, and knowledgeable. I will use them from now on. You can count on them for your pest needs."

Response time1 day

Response rate92%

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Sharky's Pest Control - Strona gwna Facebook

New to Angi

Pest Control - Bugs and InsectsPest Control - Bugs and Insects - For BusinessPest Control - Rodents+1 more

Serving Brookneal, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2012

Free estimates

Warranties offered

Sharky's Pest Control is a local, family run business with over 34 years of experience taking care of just about anything that shouldn't be in your home. We can handle bats, ants, rodents, stink bugs, spiders, ticks, fleas, snakes, birds, bed bugs, ground hogs, and skunks, to name a few. We also offer lawn treatments for flea and tick control.

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American Home Shield – Home Warranty

3.5(

5,689

)

Mosquito ControlPest Control - Bed BugsPest Control - Bugs and Insects+3 more

Serving Brookneal, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 1971

Credit card accepted

"United Air Temp was able to procure a replacement furnace controller board in a couple of days and Zachary was out within 4 days of the initial visit. The furnace now works very well."

Recommended by65%of homeowners

Pest Control - Bed BugsPest Control - Bugs and InsectsPest Control - Termite

Serving Brookneal, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 1927

When it comes to protecting homes, Terminix has satisfied more customers than any other insect and pest control company in the industry, with more than 15 million service visits annually.

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Pest Control FAQs, answered by experts

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.

No single deterrent will work 100 percent of the time, so we suggest combining deterrents to ensure your seed has the best possible chance to grow. Using bird netting over your seed, with physical deterrents like mylar tape coupled with hanging bird feeders at the edges of your growing area—and removing any bird’s nests, if possible—will give your seeds the best possible chance for success.

If there is food sources and other places to build a nest, wasps may come back after their nest is gone. However, if you take measures to repel wasps, like planting pest-repellent plants or sealing cracks and gaps around the outside of your home, they aren’t likely to return. Be diligent at checking for new nests each spring to get rid of them as soon as possible and prevent bigger swarms of wasps in your yard.

A rat nest often looks like a messy, loosely formed pile hidden in a quiet spot. It may appear as a ball-shaped cluster or just a scattered heap made from shredded paper, fabric, insulation, leaves, twigs, and other soft materials. Rats gather whatever they can find nearby to build their nests, often tucking them away in walls, attics, or behind appliances for warmth and safety.

Chemical treatments, bait systems, and physical barriers are common approaches.

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