A hornet’s nest in the eaves, insects swarming around the bathroom drainpipe, strange noises in the walls, a bat in the attic, rat droppings in the basement…Sooner or later, most New Hampshire residents encounter a pest problem in or around their homes. Experts agree the first step to take when you suspect a pest problem is to identify the pest (or pests) accurately. Many “pests” turn out to be simple nuisances, easily managed by removing attractive food supplies or using exclusion strategies.