Yikes. I've been hearing something at night--I thought we might have a mouse family in residence . . .

There are not too many squirrels running around the Sonora desert, so we don't have that problem. But living in the old citrus groves, we do have to watch out for roof rats (http://phoenix.about.com/cs/desert/a/roofrat01.htm). They are large, nocturnal creatures that make bunnies embarrassed about their inadequate breeding rates compared to the rats. They live most of their lives at least 3 feet off the ground - jump from tree to tree, fence to roof, etc. And apparently are able to squeeze through very small holes to get into attics where they gnaw up everything. They are carriers of bubonic plague and typhus. They love citrus, so when you have 16 citrus trees you have to be careful. I'd rather have to deal with squirrels.