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If you’re wondering whether bug candles can keep flies away, the answer is yes (and this goes for fruit flies and many other types of flies. However, most bug candles contain citronella, which isn’t suitable for indoor use. This is because the fumes are strong and can leave a strong scent on walls and objects.

Male carpenter bees actually don't have a stinger, but they will hover around areas as a defense mechanism to deter intruders. However, females can sting but are not typically aggressive and tend to only sting when threatened or provoked. They are less active at night, so you are less likely to encounter them because they tend to rest at night.

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.

It may be better to have a mouse in your house than a rat. Rats are larger, more aggressive, and more difficult to eradicate once settled. One rat can cause more damage than one mouse. However, both animals pose a danger in that they can spread bacteria and contaminate food, so you’ll want to contact an exterminator as soon as you detect an infestation of either animal.