In the pest management industry, a thorough inspection is the foundation of every successful treatment. When it comes to wildlife control, that inspection often involves becoming a bit of a “poopologist.” The droppings, scat, or guano left behind by an animal are one of the most definitive signs you can use to identify the pest, assess the scope of the infestation and pinpoint entry points.
This kind of detailed inspection is critical, whether you’re dealing with the pests discussed in our Attic pest guide (Part 3): Stinging & fall-invading pests or the mammals that leave these signs behind.
Key takeaways
- Flying squirrels vs. rodents: Flying squirrel droppings are often found in distinct piles (latrines) and tend to be more rounded or oblong compared to the pointed-end droppings of mice.
- The bat guano “sparkle” test: Bat guano is composed of insect exoskeletons and will crumble easily, revealing shiny, reflective insect parts. Rodent droppings are hard and will not crumble this way.
- The “tape trick”: A simple piece of tape over a suspected entry point is an effective, low-cost way to confirm if it is an active runway for pests.
Identifying droppings: Flying squirrels vs. other Rodents
When you discover rodent-like droppings in an attic, the initial assumption might be mice or rats. However, in many regions, southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) are a common culprit. A key behavioral difference is that flying squirrels tend to use a communal latrine, creating distinct piles of droppings in one or more areas of the attic. While other rodents can create piles, it’s a hallmark sign of flying squirrels.
Visually, droppings from flying squirrels are often more rounded or oblong and may look like black pellets, whereas droppings from mice are typically smaller and pointed at the ends. Distinguishing them from the larger droppings of roof rats is usually straightforward based on size.
Guano vs. droppings: The “sparkle” test
One of the most common and critical identification challenges is distinguishing bat guano from rodent droppings. Making the wrong call has significant implications for treatment protocol and safety. The definitive field test is simple: take a sample of a dry dropping and crush it between your fingers (while wearing gloves, of course).
- Bat guano: Because bats are insectivores, their guano is composed almost entirely of undigested insect exoskeletons. When you crush it, it will easily crumble into a powdery substance filled with shiny, reflective insect parts. This “sparkle” is a tell-tale sign of bat activity.
- Rodent droppings: The droppings of mice and rats are hard and dense. If you attempt to crush a dry rodent dropping, it will resist pressure and eventually break or shatter into hard fragments, not crumble into a sparkly powder.
This simple test can immediately confirm or rule out bats, guiding you toward the correct exclusion and cleanup strategy.
Pro tip: The tape trick for monitoring entry points
Once you have identified the pest, the next step is locating its entry and exit points. If you find a suspected hole but are unsure if it’s currently in use, the “tape trick” is a simple and effective way to find out.
Simply place a piece of clear packing tape over the opening. If a pest is using the hole as a runway, it will either push the tape out of the way or get stuck to it, giving you definitive proof that the entry point is active. This trick is a low-cost, low-effort way to confirm activity and justify the need for exclusion work to your client.
Mastering these small details and field-testing techniques can make a big difference in the accuracy of your diagnosis and the effectiveness of your solution. It’s often this level of detailed “poopology” that separates the seasoned pros from the rest.
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