What's In My Attic? A Florida Identification Guide
Most people call us describing a sound, a mess, or a hole — not an animal. Start with the clue you actually have. Each guide below explains what it points to, why it matters, and what the fix involves across Tampa Bay and West-Central Florida.
Quick clue chart
| What you noticed | Most likely |
|---|---|
| Fast skittering after dark, gnawing in walls | Roof rats |
| Running around in daylight, loudest at sunrise | Squirrels |
| Heavy thumps, dragging, chittering at night | Raccoons |
| High squeaking in one spot, loudest at dusk, no footsteps | Bats |
| Cone-shaped holes across the lawn overnight | Armadillos |
| Steady insect traffic in and out of one small hole in the wall | Honey bees |
Start with your clue
Scratching or Running in the Ceiling
The single most useful clue is when you hear it. Attic animals in Florida keep very different schedules, and the timing plus the weight of t…
Identify it →
Droppings in the Attic or Garage
Droppings are the most reliable evidence in an attic, because each animal leaves a different size, shape, and pattern. Do not sweep or vacuu…
Identify it →
Holes, Torn Soffit, or Damaged Roofline
The opening itself is a fingerprint. Its size, its height off the ground, and whether the edges are chewed or torn tell us what got in and h…
Identify it →
Holes or Burrows Dug in the Yard
Not everything that shows up in your yard is the same problem. A scattering of shallow divots, a single wide burrow against the foundation, …
Identify it →