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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.

In some cases, a clean house can have roaches, especially if you have excess moisture somewhere. You may want to check for leaky pipes or look underneath sinks to make sure water isn’t dripping near a hidden area that is inviting the cockroaches in. Roaches can also take up residence in clean homes with not-protected food sources, like open bags of food in a kitchen cupboard.

As a general rule, if you hear an animal in your attic, don’t assume it will stay there. Animals are drawn to warmth and food sources, which could lead them to other parts of your house. In particular, it’s likely that small pests such as rats and mice that only need tiny gaps to squeeze through will end up in your walls and ductwork. Larger animals like raccoons may be limited to an enclosed attic.

It’s unlikely true water bugs will get into your home plumbing system. You may find them in gutters, rain barrels, or open irrigation on your property. If there are bugs near your indoor pipes, leaky sinks, or other moist places, they are probably Oriental cockroaches. Consult a pest control professional to determine the pest hiding out in your plumbing system.