Do you hear strange noises coming from your attic or walls? If so, you may have unwanted guests looking for creature comforts.

Some of the most common varmints in our foothill communities to invade attics, walls and under house crawl spaces include squirrels, raccoons, opossums and rats.

You can identify unwanted household pests by the noises they make. Do you hear scratching, thumping, rolling, hissing, or chewing? Are the noises during the day or at night? Here is the short list with the sounds and habits of common critters.

Squirrels make quick, light scampering noises. They are active during the daytime, early morning and before sunset. Squirrels hang out near their entry point, run along the edges of roofs, and scurry up and down the walls. You may hear squirrels rolling their acorns and scratching at surfaces.

Raccoons are nocturnal. Most attic raccoons are pregnant females looking for a safe place for their pups. Scratching may be heard as they build their nests. Because raccoons are large critters, they make noises often described as heavy walking or thumping. Raccoons are also very vocal, especially the young pups, producing chattering and growling noises.

Opossums are large aimals, and move slowly. They typically seek out the warmth and safety of an attic and claim it as their den. Because opossums are mostly quiet creatures, they are sometimes not discovered until they die and a foul odor fills the home. Opossums are nocturnal, and if heard will sound like a heavy, slowmoving animal during the night.

Rats and mice travel quickly, making light scurrying and scampering noises. Depending on the density of walls and attics, these critters can sound bigger or smaller than they actually are. Rats and mice are very destructive pests, and breed in high numbers.

You may hear them at night, pitterpattering throughout the attic, scurrying up and down the walls, and scratching at pipes, electrical wires and wood surfaces. Rats and mice also leave droppings all over the place – a telltale sign of infestation.

All of these pests can be destructive to your property. Adriana Donofrio Podley Properties Glendora 626 926-9700 adrianad@podley.com