The gnome door has been painted shut forever, except for a brief time when it wasn't. I've lived there for 14 years now, and I have never opened that door or been present when it was opened. They repainted over a year ago, and the gnome door has been secure ever since. So, when the two men arrived to survey my attic, I may have been a little skittish and hid in the kitchen until I was sure nothing was going to jump out. Guy #1 bravely climbed up there while Guy #2 stayed down and chatted with me. They asked if I'd ever heard critters. I said, "Heck, yeah. I've been hearing them for 14 years. Critters don't bug me none." (I get a little redneck sometimes) All the while I could hear Guy #1 walking around up in the attic, I kept waiting for the blood-curdling scream that never came. Finally, he popped back down.
What did he find? A little of this?
Or maybe some of this?
How about these?
Nope. He found absolutely nothing except an old clay flower pot with a dead branch of something still firmly planted. How amazingly random. His professional opinion is that the critters I hear are just visiting squirrels and not living up there, as there is no poop or other signs of nesting. He moved some boards to block the one opening (under the eaves where the pigeons used to roost before Frau tacked up screening) and said he'd talk to the Frau about closing it up properly. He's also going to suggest trimming the branches of the magnolia tree so they don't have easy roof access.
Before he left, I made sure he put the door back securely, but now that the paint has been undone, I'm scared.