A strange scratching sound comes from the attic. Something keeps getting into the trash overnight. You notice damage around a roof vent that you could swear was not there last week.
You may never actually see the animal responsible for a wildlife problem. In many cases, the first indication that something has moved onto your property is the evidence it leaves behind.
Throughout the Cincinnati Tri-State area, homeowners share their neighborhoods with raccoons, squirrels, opossums, bats, and many other types of wildlife. Seeing an animal pass through the yard is usually nothing unusual. When you begin noticing repeated noises, damage, droppings, or other signs around your home, however, it may be time to investigate.
Pay Attention to When You Hear the Noise
One of the first clues can be the time of day you hear activity.
Scratching, scampering, or chewing sounds during daylight hours may point toward squirrels or another animal that is primarily active during the day. Heavier movement or thumping at night could indicate a larger nocturnal visitor, such as a raccoon.
Bats may produce lighter scratching or squeaking sounds, particularly around dusk and dawn as they leave and return to a roost.
The location matters too. Sounds in the attic suggest a different entry point than activity beneath a porch, inside a wall, or under the house.
Look for Changes Around the Roofline
Wildlife does not need a front door to get inside.
Walk around your home and look for changes to soffits, fascia, vents, siding, and other areas along the roofline. A loose vent cover, damaged soffit, or existing gap can provide an opportunity for an animal to enter.
You may also notice nesting material or staining near an opening.
Trees can contribute to the problem. Branches that extend close to a roof can provide squirrels and other animals with easier access to the upper portions of your home.
Check for Activity Around Decks, Porches, and Sheds
Not every critter wants to live in the attic. Protected areas at ground level can be equally appealing.
Look around decks, porches, sheds, and other structures for freshly disturbed soil or openings that appear to lead underneath. Opossums, skunks, and other wildlife may take advantage of these protected spaces.
Repeated sightings of an animal entering and leaving the same location are another strong indication that it may be using the area for shelter.
Droppings Can Be an Important Clue
Finding animal droppings in an attic, garage, shed, or around the exterior of your home can help confirm that wildlife has been spending time there.
Avoid handling unknown droppings with bare hands or immediately sweeping or vacuuming contaminated areas. Animal waste can contain bacteria, parasites, and other potentially harmful material.
A professional can help determine what type of animal may be responsible and what should be done next.
Damage Can Reveal a Bigger Problem
Some wildlife can cause considerable damage while gaining access to or living inside a structure.
Squirrels may chew wood and electrical wiring. Raccoons can damage vents, soffits, and roofing materials while attempting to gain entry. Animals living in attics can disturb insulation, while wildlife beneath a structure may damage landscaping or surrounding areas.
Even seemingly minor damage deserves attention if you suspect an animal caused it.
Don’t Seal the Opening Until You Know What Is Inside
Finding an entry point does not necessarily mean you should immediately close it.
If an animal is already inside, sealing the opening could trap it in your home. There may also be young animals present that cannot leave on their own.
The better approach is to determine what animal you are dealing with, whether it is currently inside, and the appropriate way to address the situation before securing potential entry points.
When You’re Not Sure What You’re Dealing With, Call Romans Pest Management
Wildlife does not always make itself easy to identify. Sometimes all you have is a strange noise, an unexplained opening, or evidence that something has been visiting your property.
Romans Pest Management handles a wide range of nuisance wildlife problems throughout Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. From raccoons and squirrels to bats, opossums, and other unexpected visitors, our team can evaluate the signs and help determine what is happening around your home.
If something is scratching, chewing, digging, or making itself comfortable where it does not belong, contact Romans Pest Management.