ap wrote:
Hello all,
We live in a 2-story home with an attic here in Georgia. Typically,
this time of year, we used to hear noises coming from the attic due to
rats/squirrels getting in the openings.

Nowadays, though, I'm also hearing noises coming from above the first
floor. It seems like some animals have gotten in above the first
floor.

My question is: how can they get in? and are there gaps/openings for
them to get in ? What is in between floors?

Sorry for the dumb question, but I just need to be knowledgeable on
the house. Looking at it from the outside, it's not obvious.

Any links to good house diagrams diagrams appreciated...

And is there a solution to preventing this?

Thank you!

Solution is getting animals out and sealing all openings. Patch any
holes they have dug into house and put screens in ventilation openings.
I know bats and mice can easily get through a quarter inch opening.

As others suggest, poison is not a good option as rotting corpse can
cause problems. Cost my son ~$1,000 to seal openings and remove dead
squirrel. Squirrel had gotten caught near chimney and died and house
filled with smell and maggots and required a chimney guy and a siding
guy to fix.