Something
is in My Attic
If you hear strange noises or see unexplained signs of wildlife- don’t wait for the damage to worsen.
We’ll find the cause, fix the problem, and help you take back your home
Mystery Animal Investigation & Identification
When you don’t know what’s causing the noise, the mess, or the mystery — that’s our job to solve.
Our Mystery Animal Process
1. Inspection & Listening - We are the detectives. You tell us what you’re hearing; we investigate the signs.
2. Proof-Based Discovery - Every species has their own unique calling card and we happen to be fluent.
3. Monitored Confirmation - Cellular cameras when needed to catch our culprit in the act.
4. Action Plan & Cross-Link - We will walk you through every step of our plan to resolve the issue.
5. Prevention & Education - Let’s stop this from ever happening again
You Don’t Have to Know What It Is — That’s What We’re Here For
Sometimes, the biggest frustration isn’t what you see — it’s what you hear. Scratching in the attic. Thuds in the wall. Holes appearing in the yard. Chickens gone missing overnight. You don’t need to guess, and you definitely don’t need to go poking around trying to find it. At Animal Dispatch, we specialize in mystery animal investigations — calm, professional, and backed by years of field experiance. We identify the true source of the problem, provide proof through photo or video documentation, and then guide you toward the right solution.
Common “Mystery Animal” Scenarios:
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Possible culprits: squirrels, flying squirrels, raccoons, bats, or starlings.
We inspect roof-lines, soffits, and attics. When neeeded we deploy cameras to identify the species and provide proof before removal.
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Possible culprits: skunks, opossums, groundhogs, rodents, or snakes.
We use monitored traps and crawlspace cameras to confirm the source without unnecessary disturbance.
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Possible culprits: voles, skunks, groundhogs, or muskrats.
Hole size and pattern indicate the species. We evaluate the burrows and repair structural damage after humane removal.
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You spend time, money, and effort growing your garden — and something’s been sneaking in and tearing it up. Bite marks on vegetables, toppled plants, tunnels between rows, or droppings near raised beds can all tell a story.
At Animal Dispatch, we help identify exactly what’s causing the problem before you waste money on repellents or fences that don’t work.
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Rabbits
- Cleanly clipped leaves and stems — as if snipped with scissors.
- Droppings shaped like small, dry pellets scattered nearby.
- Most active early morning and at dusk.
Squirrels or Chipmunks
- Half-eaten fruits or nuts left behind.
- Small holes dug where bulbs or seeds were planted.
- May raid bird feeders or chew garden hoses for water.
Groundhogs / Woodchucks
- Large tunnels near garden edges or fences.
- Broad bites taken from multiple plants in one night.
- Flattened paths through vegetation leading to holes 8–12′′ wide.
Skunks
- Cone-shaped holes (1–3′′ deep) scattered in soil from digging for grubs.
- Disturbed mulch or uprooted plants, but few bites taken.
- Distinct odor in the mornings after digging overnight.
Foxes or Coyotes
- Dug holes in soft dirt or compost piles looking for insects or small animals.
- Missing fruit or poultry, especially at night.
- Tracks and faint musky odor along property edges.
Raccoons
- Plants pulled from soil or corn stalks bent down to reach ears.
- Trash cans tipped over near gardens.
- Tracks in soft soil resembling tiny handprints.
Voles / Moles / Rodents
- Tunnels or raised runways just below grass level.
- Plants suddenly dying as roots are chewed off.
- Mounds or trails between flowerbeds.
Pro Tip: If you’re not sure what’s causing damage, don’t fill holes or block tunnels yet — we can determine if they’re active or abandoned.
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Possible culprits: foxes, coyotes, raccoons, mink, or owls.
We analyze prints, bite marks, and camera footage to identify predators and protect coops with reinforced enclosures.
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A smell from walls, crawlspaces, or vents often means an animal has died from being trapped or poisoned. We locate, remove, and sanitize using enzyme-based odor control.
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We deploy cellular wildlife cameras to record nighttime activity and confirm what’s entering or leaving your property.
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- Log the time and sound type.
- Check exterior areas for droppings or disturbed soil.
- Use flour at baseboards or holes to reveal prints.
- Set up an outdoor camera overnight.
The Goal: Answers Without Guesswork
You don’t need to climb into your attic or dig through your yard — that’s what we’re trained for. We believe in proof before panic. We combine experience, humane tools, and real transparency to uncover what’s going on — so you can finally rest easy knowing the mystery is solved for good.
Every job is done with care and respect — for your property and for the animals we remove.
Located in Gretna, VA. We proudly serve most of South-Central Virginia, including Lynchburg, Roanoke, Danville, Martinsville, Appomattox, Halifax, and surrounding areas — with frequent service to Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta, and Hardy.