Creature (?) in the attic - advise sought

Parent Cafe
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<p>I have had flying squirrels in the attic that were professionally removed. These critters all can be very destructive and chewing on wires can be worrisome. They can get through the tiniest of openings and once you are on their “route” they can be persistent. Also have had friends have the experience of rodent urine damaging wallboard. Not fun at all. </p>

<p>Actually just had a chipmunk or squirrel chew through the wires that allowed kid’s newish car to start. It took the experts quite awhile to figure out what had happened. I hope they don’t come back! Rather pricey.</p>

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<p>Our daughter alerted us to the noises in the attic. She referenced The Princess Bride informing us of “rodents of unusual size.” LOL</p>

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<p>Probably not a bat, which hibernate at this time of year–although there are exceptions. </p>

<p>[Bats</a> hibernating and bats flying in your home during the winter](<a href=“http://www.crittercatchersinc.com/critters/bats/Winter_Bats_In_House.html]Bats”>Bats hibernating and bats flying in your home during the winter)</p>

<p>We have had a bat or two, during some of the past few summers, and if isolated in a room, have been able to isolate the critter, open a window and let it fly out. But last summer, we had one in common areas, and–having had enough with the creepy looking creatures–called in the middle of the night a local, certified expert who showed up with a big net and took it away–for $250. We asked him about doing something about a permanent solution, but considering the costs and difficulty of completely sealing a large 1895 house, we decided we might do better simply calling the remover for the occasional incidents. </p>

<p>Once had a squirrel, but a Haveahart trap actually worked. </p>

<p>Also mice, but mousetraps work. </p>

<p>My attitude: if you invade my turf, prepare to pay the consequences. </p>

<p>I’ve considered a cat, but I’m not sure how that would work out with my dog. I do tell him that cats–not dogs–were gods in ancient Egypt. Their control of vermin made food storage, and civilization, possible.</p>

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<p>I was driving through my neighborhood recently and saw a squirrel on a deeply pitched roof run over to a corner and disappear into the house. Been there, done that. Major pain and expense.</p>

<p>I also noticed a van in my neighborhood the other day with “Party animals in the attic” logo on it. Cute name for critter catcher.</p>

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<p>I finally got a regular exterminating service. Couldn’t deal with it anymore. They’ll do extra visits for no extra fee if we notice a problem.</p>

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<p>It’s key to close up any cracks where they could re-enter, a good reason to use a pro. My neighbor would get a random bat every year, through her uncapped chimney. It would fly through the downstairs. DH got kind of tired of going to her rescue. (You bright light where they are, leave the exit path entirely dark. In this case, they (the bats) always figured it out.) She got her chimney capped. I love the idea of living with nature; we’ve got racoons and skunks in the neighborhood (settled edge of the city) and tons of squirrels. Have to keep tree branches trimmed, where they could jump to the roof. Good luck.</p>