When we were kids, we would watch with amazement as an endless stream of bats would emerge from the attic of the abandoned cannery across the street from our home. Once the brightness of day had turned to darkness, the swarming would commence. There were so many that it seemed to take them hours to get out of that attic. Our parents warned of disease potential, to no avail. We were out there every night, afraid and curious. After the cannery was torn down the bats disappeared and that part of our childhood became a memory. We didn't know it then, but the bats flourished because of the enormous mosquito population that existed in the marsh just on the other side of the river. The bat population disappeared, not because the cannery was gone, but because the county had implemented a mosquito abatement program in the marshes. Their food disappeared and so did they. Nature at work.

Living near the river, we also had significant rat and mouse populations. The battle with them seemed unending. Picture young teenagers learning to set a mousetrap before learning to drive. We didn't have to deal with raccoons and squirrels until we were adults. Our Aunt Helen and Uncle Mike had a cabin in the mountains. You could always count on meeting a hungry raccoon - paws spread and begging for a free meal.

All our lives we have also enjoyed living close to squirrels, skunks, foxes and other varmints that flourish in the foothills south of us. The populations were far greater then, but still exist today.

Being so close to these animals for so many years has taught us that they have a place in our lives. And we truly respect that notion. However, we have also learned that their presence in our homes endangers our children, not to mention our food supply.

Certain animals carry diseases such as rabies, and some multiply by as much as 700 percent in a year posing a real danger to you and your family. Other pests create a noise nuisance.

Bats are nocturnal and love to leave their lair at night to find food. Watch where they exit, and then screen the area off before they return. Do not go into the attic. Your attempt to scare them away could result in injury to you and them.

We have never felt good about mice. Once nested in your walls they will search for and destroy food, documents and clothing. Once you discover a mouse problem, get a cat and call an exterminator. How do you know they are in your home? If you come upon black droppings about an eighth of an inch in length, be assured it isn't wild rice. Don't waste time with environmentally safe, animal- friendly methods of control. These rodents will eat through electrical wiring and expose you and your family to potential for a deadly house fire. A mouse can enter your home through a hole three-eighths of an inch in diameter. They also get in through gaps between the foundation and exterior siding. Also, do your best to eliminate potential mouse meals. Clean all surfaces and be sure that every scrap of food is wiped off. Heavy duty plastic or metal food containers will deter hungry rodents who are capable of gnawing through a cardboard box. Remember, spring traps and poisons are dangerous to children and require special management.

We rather like squirrels, but they can keep you up all night scratching and tapping on your ceiling. Evicting the cute little critters first requires discovering their entry-exit point. Block gaps between shingles, repair torn vents and patch even the smallest hole. Next, hinge a vent screen at the top with a couple of nails, creating a swinging door that swings out only. Place a tray of food outside the trap door. The squirrels will be able to get out but won't be able to return. If you like having squirrels in your area, place food in trees.