SQUIRREL                                                   
The two photos here were taken after we removed the heating duct in an older home. The squirrel had entered the building from a air conditioner pipe hole which had not been properly sealed. This squirrel was apparently an adult member of a family. As rodents do they chew on things to gain access to other areas, the results were deadly for the squirrel. The home owner was lucky, they only had to endure the awful odder and a bill to remove the carcass and replace the duct work.   The photo on the left is an adult grey squirrel wrapped around an electrical cable. The photo on the right is of the electrical wire after we had removed the squirrel carcass.
The next photo shows the access hole made by squirrels to gain access to a house. Sometimes these areas start out just as a small crack where warm air from the attic escapes during the fall and winter months. These animals can be very persistent when attempting to find a warm place to nest.

BATS

The small brown bat, one of our most proficientt  bug catchers. You see these animals start their daily 'dining out' at twilight time and continue feasting on all types of bugs, including mosquitoes and other night flying insects until early dawn. These small animals probably account for the demise of more insects than any other source. Their wheeling, dipping and seemingly erratic flight path is actually a very accurate path guided by their 'sonar' which they use to track their quarry.  (1) Where do they live? (2) So what harm do they do? Some answers to question (1). Bats live behind the loose shutters on houses, inside a crack, more than an inch wide, near the sofit or eave and yes, inside your attic as the two photos below show. Question (2); These photos were taken prior to an extensive cleaning and replacement of attic insulation. Because the guano or droppings cause a very offensive odor and harbor fungus and other nasty items such as histoplasmosis, the technician must wear protective suits, masks and gloves during the clean-up phase. These droppings can accumulate very quickly if a large colony infests your attic. The 'bat' is also a carrier of rabies and must not be handled without proper protective gear.

RACCOON
The 'rascally' raccoon, sleeps, usually, in the day time, gets up sometime after dark and starts 'trash can' hopping in search of tasty morsels. In his quest he can get very noisy, turning over cans, fighting with other raccoons, running across roof tops, and climbing up and down rain gutters.
This animal is a very opportunistic inquisitive creature and unbelievably strong (they can climb straight up a gutter spout)  In their search for a den to stay in for a brief over 'nighter' or a nursery to raise their young, they can destroy a lot of property. They will  tear off inexpensive chimney caps, tear off loose siding to gain access to chimney enclosures, open soffits or attic vents/fans to gain access to the attic.  A male raccoon may live in your attic for several years without your being aware until you one day look into the attic and smell his 'bath room'. But a female with her young can sound like a heard of cattle with their running, jumping, play fighting and squabbling. If you have stored anything in the attic and a raccoon has been there a while, don't be surprised with the destruction you will see. Just about anything and everything that can be opened will be opened.
Remember: When dealing with a raccoon, if cornered, with their many very sharp teeth and powerful sharp claws, it can be 20 to 40 lbs of fighting terror . They are also a prime carrier of Rabies.  They can be cute, laughable, and enjoyable to watch while they are being fed but they can suddenly change their demeanor if you stop feeding while they are still hungry, you get between a mother and her young, or if they think they are threatened. 

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