Troy Taylor is the author of more than 84 books on all things paranormal—most notably haunted houses. He’s also the founder of the American Ghost Society, a network of ghost hunters who collect stories of sightings and hauntings, then use investigative techniques and equipment to track down evidence of the supernatural. He explains how you can find the right ghost buster to rid your old house of its specters and spirits.
Living in a haunted house can be an unsettling experience. You could experience unexplained noises and eerie sensations, prompting you to search for answers. This guide will walk you through the process of identifying, investigating, and potentially resolving ghostly occurrences in your home.
Natural vs. Ghostly and Supernatural Occurrences
Even if you’re house isn’t haunted, it’s easy to think that every bump and creak you hear is something ghostly. However, many seemingly paranormal events often have logical explanations. Before assuming you live in a haunted house, consider these natural causes:
- Drafts: Cold spots or moving objects might be due to air currents from windows or vents.
- Electrical issues: Flickering lights or malfunctioning appliances could indicate wiring problems.
- House settling: Creaking sounds or sudden pops can be a result of temperature changes causing materials to expand or contract.
- Reflections or shadows: Visual anomalies may appear due to light playing tricks on your eyes.
Observe and document any unusual occurrences, noting the time, location, and any potential natural explanations.
Common Signs of a Haunted Home
While many reported hauntings have natural explanations, some signs are more commonly associated with paranormal activity:
- Objects moving on their own: Items relocating or falling without anyone touching them
- Strange odors: Scents that appear and disappear without an identifiable source
- Unexplained sounds: Footsteps, knocking, or voices with no apparent source
- Unexplained temperature changes: Sudden cold spots in specific areas of the house
Choosing the Right Ghost Hunter
Once you’ve ruled out natural causes, you can learn to live with the novelty of a ghost in your house or get in touch with a legitimate ghost researcher to help you understand what’s going on. This isn’t as easy as it sounds, as there are hundreds of ghost hunters out there with varying degrees of credibility.
“In my line of work, I often deal with people who have (or claim to have) ghosts in their houses,” says Taylor. “Inevitably, most of them ask me what they should do about it. Should they move out? Should they talk to the specters or just ignore them? But the most common question I get is whether they should contact a ghost hunter to come to their house and investigate.”
Qualifications To Look For
When evaluating potential ghost hunters, consider the following qualifications:
- Equipment knowledge: Ensure the ghost hunter is familiar with various ghost-hunting tools and technologies.
- Experience: Look for investigators with a proven track record of paranormal research.
- Professionalism: Select an investigator who respects your privacy and takes your concerns seriously.
- Scientific approach: Choose someone who uses a methodical, evidence-based approach.
Red Flags To Avoid
Be wary of ghost hunters who exhibit these warning signs:
- Charging excessive fees: Legitimate investigators typically don’t charge for their services, except for travel expenses.
- Lack of skepticism: Avoid those who immediately assume every occurrence is paranormal without considering natural explanations.
- Promising guaranteed results: Paranormal activity is unpredictable, and no one can guarantee evidence.
- Unprofessional behavior: Steer clear of investigators who seem more interested in entertainment than serious research.
Once you’ve found an investigator you’re comfortable with, ask them about their paranormal research and past investigations—especially those involving private residences. Find out if they have an affiliation with a research group or a national organization, such as the American Ghost Society. You can call the organization and request additional information.
Alternate Experts
Ministers, professional mediums, psychics, and individuals sensitive to spirits can help you detect and remove spirits from your home. Whoever you work with should be someone your ghost hunter has worked with before, or someone who was a referral through a legitimate source.
What To Expect During a Paranormal Investigation
A professional paranormal investigation can be an intense process. Here’s what you can expect.
Equipment Used by Ghost Hunters
Modern ghost hunters use a variety of tools to detect and document potential paranormal activity:
- Digital voice recorders: Used to capture electronic voice phenomena (EVP), which are unexplained sounds interpreted as spirit voices
- Electromagnetic Field (EMF) meters: Devices that measure electromagnetic fields radiating from an item or within a specific area
- Infrared cameras: For detecting temperature changes and capturing images in low light
- Motion sensors: Detects movement in specific areas
- Spirit boxes: Rapidly scan radio frequencies, allegedly allowing spirits to communicate
Shown: Ghosthunting kits like the one shown here are available at GhostShop.com.
The Investigation Process
A typical paranormal investigation may involve the following steps:
- Initial walkthrough and setup of equipment
- Baseline readings of the environment
- Attempts to communicate with potential spirits
- Review of collected data and evidence
- Follow-up analysis and presentation of findings
The investigator should explain each step of the process and answer any questions you may have throughout the investigation.
Living With Ghosts: When Removal Isn’t an Option
In some cases, complete removal of spirits may not be possible or desired. Learning to coexist peacefully with paranormal entities is an alternative solution.
Establishing Boundaries With Ghosts
Set clear boundaries for spirit activity in your home. Designate “off-limits” areas for spirits and communicate your expectations out loud. Use visualization techniques to create energetic barriers.
Creating a Peaceful Coexistence
Foster a harmonious living situation with the following strategies:
- Acknowledge the spirit’s presence respectfully.
- Continue with your normal routines to assert your space.
- Maintain a positive attitude and energy in the home.
Preventing Future Hauntings
Whether you’ve experienced a haunting or want to avoid one, there are steps you can take to protect your home from unwanted spiritual energy.
Energy Cleansing Techniques
Regular energy cleansing can help you maintain a positive atmosphere in your home. Here are a few techniques to use:
- Essential oils: Use oils, such as lavender or frankincense, for purification.
- Salt barriers: Sprinkle salt along windowsills and doorways.
- Sunlight and fresh air: Open windows regularly to refresh the energy.
Protective Measures for Your Home
Implement these additional protective strategies:
- Hang protective symbols or talismans.
- Maintain a clutter-free, positive living environment.
- Use black tourmaline or other protective crystals.
Safety Precautions When Dealing with Potential Paranormal Activity
While investigating paranormal activity can be intriguing, it’s important to prioritize safety throughout the process. Consider both your physical safety and emotional well-being.
Physical Safety Considerations
Consider the following tips when dealing with paranormal activity in your home:
- Be aware of your surroundings to avoid trips or falls in the dark.
- Ensure all electrical equipment is in good working order.
- Have a first-aid kit readily available.
- Never investigate alone—always have a partner with you.
Emotional and Psychological Safety
Always protect your mental health when dealing with potential hauntings. Here are a few ways to keep your emotions in check:
- Practice grounding techniques to maintain emotional stability.
- Seek support from friends, family, or professionals if you feel overwhelmed.
- Set boundaries for your involvement and know when to step back.
Will the Spirit Leave?
If your medium detects that a spirit is present in your home, they’ll try to convince it to move on. While this may work, there may be times when it doesn’t. “I often get calls from people asking for this service, but in my years in the paranormal field, I have found very few people trustworthy enough for this assignment,” says Taylor. “They’re out there, though, and your investigator should do all they can to get you in touch with them.”
Our Conclusion
Dealing with paranormal activity in your home can be challenging and unsettling, but you likely don’t need to worry. Ghosts aren’t present to hurt anyone, and in almost every case, a family can peacefully coincide with a spirit. By approaching the situation with a balanced mix of skepticism and open-mindedness, you can work toward understanding and resolving any unusual occurrences in your house.
Remember that many seemingly paranormal events have logical explanations, and you should rule these out before considering supernatural causes. If you do decide to investigate further, choose reputable professionals. Ultimately, whether you decide to remove spirits, coexist with them, or determine that there was no haunting to begin with, the goal is to create a home environment where you feel safe and at peace.
