We keep hearing what sounds like a small animal scurrying around in our attic. I don't know for sure what it is but it's surely bigger than a rat. I'm thinking it's a possum or coon. There is not much room for me to move around up there and track this thing down and even if I did I have no idea what I would with it. What's the best way to get rid of whatever it is by myself (traps, poison, etc) or is it better to just go ahead and call a pest control expert?

I had a coon in the attic once. It sounded more like he was tearing the holy hell out of the attic not just moving around.

Try a live trap first. If that fails call a pro. You DONT want a anything dead in your attic.

In many places the local animal control people will bring you a live trap, set it up and then tell you to call them when you catch something and they will remove/relocate it.

If that isn't available, do it yourself. You have more options on the remove/relocate part of it then.

I have access to a small animal trap and have trapped coons and possums outside before but I know they spit and deficate all over the place in those things. I don't want to have to pull that out of the attic and through the house on my own.

Getting the trap and calling someone once I trap the rascal sounds like a good idea.

Another option is to go to a coop or similar place (McCoys, etc) and purchase fox urine. It has little bottles you hang in the attic. I've had great luck with that to keep away squirrels, coons, possums, etc.

They also sell fox urine at Academy on the hunting aisle. I just soaked some rags in it and it got rid of the squirrels in my wall.