Raccoon
Most people can visually identify a raccoon but what are some signs that indicate a raccoon? Soffit damage; vent damage; missing cat food; loud noises at night; “chattering” noise (March through May) from young of the year; feces on roof; attic noise; scratching; odd smell; crawlspace noise; trash can tipped over; normally November-May.
Skunk
Skunks are easily identified when seen or smelled but what are some signs? Small depression going under the deck, patio, garage, or shed; small holes dug all over the yard; missing cat food; missing eggs/chickens; large piles of dirt dug from under structures; all times of year.
Squirrel
There are several animals that will be very similar. Indiana has Chipmunks, Red Pine Squirrels, Gray Squirrels, Fox Squirrels, and Flying Squirrels. Noises in the attic; noises in the crawl space; noises in the wall; noises at night; noises all times of day; chewing; scratching; all times of year.
Bats
Bats are often in your house or barn and you don’t even know it. Scratching; squeaking/chirping; noise in the walls; noise in the attic; noise at night; odd smell; mainly March-November.
Mice
Mice are a common pest worldwide. Noise in the attic; noise in the walls; odd smell; squeaking/chirping; chewing; scratching; noise all times of day; missing cat food; all times of year.
Birds
Many different species of birds can cause problems. Noises in the attic; noises in the crawlspace; noises all times of day; squeaking/chirping; odd smell; all times of year.
Opossum
The often misunderstood “possum”. Noise in the attic; noise in the crawlspace; odd smell; hole under deck, patio, garage or shed; trash can tipped over; missing cat food; all times of year.
Groundhog
Woodchucks , “groundhogs”, and “whistle pigs” are all the same creature. Missing plants; large pile of dirt dug from under structure; normally March-November.
Eastern Mole
Moles are rarely seen because they spend the vast majority of their time underground. Mounds of dirt in the yard/mulch; trails of dead grass; soft spots in the yard; normally March-December.
Voles
The Prairie Vole is common throughout Indiana. Visible runs in your yard/mulch; plants dying for no obvious reason; bark removed from plants; lawn damage under the snow.
Muskrats
Muskrats spend most of their time in the water but they often come onto land to feed. Plants missing; cattails missing or piled up in the water; bank collapsing.
Beaver
Beavers can do significant damage in a very short period of time. Trees/plants missing; water backing up; bank collapsing; sticks piled up.