You may have come across animal droppings around or even in your home.
No one likes finding and then trying to identify animal feces. But to a trained eye, those little clues tell a big story. At Bats and Bugs Pest Solutions, our technicians use the size, shape, location, and pattern of droppings to identify which animals have moved in and how to safely remove them.
Knowing what kind of pest you’re dealing with, and commonly how plentiful they are, as well as how they are getting in helps determine the right removal method and exclusion plan. Here’s a breakdown of the most common culprits we find in Des Moines-area homes and how to tell them apart.
Bat Guano: The Trail From Outside to Your Attic
Bat droppings, called guano, are small and pellet-like and about the size of a grain of rice. They often appear in clusters beneath roof vents, beams, or attic entry points. Bat guano can appear to sparkle under light. Because fresh bat droppings often contain tiny fragments of insect exoskeletons those pieces reflect light, giving guano a slightly shiny or glittery appearance
- Where it’s found: near gable vents, insulation, or on attic ledges.
- What it signals: a roosting colony above or behind walls.
- Professional insight: technicians confirm by inspecting for oily rub marks, faint squeaks, and airflow points that bats use to enter. Please note that disturbing guano can release spores that cause histoplasmosis and requires safety
precautions for cleanup.
Squirrel Droppings: Attic Nests and Gable Entries
Squirrel poop is slightly larger than mouse or rat droppings and tends to have blunt ends rather than pointed ones. It’s often found in corners of attics, near roof openings, or along rafters.
- Where it’s found: higher locations like attics, soffits, and insulation piles.
- What it signals: active nesting, often paired with shredded insulation and chewed wood.
- Professional insight: wildlife specialists look for teeth marks on vents or trim and listen for daytime movement to confirm squirrel activity.
Raccoon Droppings: The Big Giveaway
Raccoon scat is larger, similar to a small dog’s and often found in a single pile. Unlike smaller animals, raccoons use “latrines,” returning to the same spot repeatedly. Droppings may contain seeds or berries and carry parasites that can pose health risks.
- Where it’s found: attic corners, chimneys, or flat surfaces like decks or roofs.
- What it signals: a raccoon den nearby.
- Professional insight: Our team inspects for structural damage, insulation trails, and signs of nesting; we use humane traps and exclusion to prevent return.
Rodent Droppings: Tiny and Troublesome
Mouse and rat droppings are among the most common calls we get for pest control in Des Moines. Mice leave small, pointed pellets about the size of a grain of rice, while rats leave larger, capsule-shaped droppings. You’ll often see them along baseboards or behind stored items.
- Where it’s found: basements, crawl spaces, pantries, or garages.
- What it signals: an entry gap nearby rodents follow consistent travel paths.
- Professional insight: techs look for gnaw marks, grease trails, and nesting material; once the source is identified, we seal entry points to prevent re-infestation.
Bird Droppings: Messy Clues from Above
Bird droppings vary widely in size and appearance depending on the species, but they’re typically splattered rather than pellet-shaped. They often include white or chalky areas caused by uric acid, which helps distinguish bird droppings from mammals. In homes and commercial buildings, birds commonly nest in vents, eaves, signage, and rooflines leaving droppings behind as a clear warning sign.
Where it’s found: on siding, window ledges, decks, patios, sidewalks, near vents, or beneath rooflines and exterior signage.
What it signals: an active nest nearby, often in dryer vents, bathroom exhaust vents, soffits, or decorative architectural features.
Professional insight: technicians look for nesting material in vents, blocked airflow, feather buildup, and repeated droppings below entry points. Safe removal requires attention to species protections and proper exclusion to prevent re-nesting.
Professional vs. DIY Identification
While droppings can tell you which animal is present, identifying the exact species and extent of activity takes experience. Professionals also look at:
- Location and clustering: whether droppings are in corners, along beams, or near food sources.
- Texture and freshness: new droppings are darker and moist; old ones are brittle.
- Complementary signs: tracks, chew marks, rub spots, nesting debris, or odors.
What To Do
If you’ve discovered droppings in your home, don’t panic, and don’t sweep them up. Take a photo and call Bats and Bugs Pest Solutions for a professional inspection. We’ll identify the animal, clean the affected area safely, and seal off entry points to keep wildlife out for good. Not to cause too much concern, but please be aware that misidentifying the pest can lead to sealing animals inside or handling hazardous material without proper protection. Our licensed technicians use safe cleanup methods, personal protective equipment, and specialized disinfectants to remove contamination safely.
Whether it’s bat guano in your attic, squirrel nests in your soffits, or rodent droppings in your basement, our team provides humane wildlife removal across Iowa, including Des Moines, Urbandale, and Valley Junction.
If you live in or around the Des Moines area schedule your free inspection today and let us help you reclaim your home from unwanted guests, before they leave any more “evidence” behind.