You’ll want to call a licensed and insured wildlife removal company that offers:

• Full property inspection—indoor and outdoor

• Proper animal identification

• Written management plan with follow-up visits included

• Humane removal techniques

• Preventative exclusion measures

If it’s an emergency and you can’t wait, you’ll need to contact an emergency animal control company near you.

There are DIY methods and store-bought pesticides available for the public to use. However, these pesticides also come with a risk, and you need to follow the directions correctly and take precautionary measures to prevent exposure to these chemicals. These methods may be an option for small pest problems, but you should call in a pest control specialist for persistent pests and infestations.

Vinegar can keep some animals at bay, like deer, rabbits, foxes, and raccoons. Keep in mind that your household pets, like cats and dogs, also don’t like the smell of vinegar. You can soak rags in white vinegar and put them up around your garden beds to keep the pesky critters from eating your plants.

Certain strong smells may help repel bats, though this is not a foolproof method and is best used in conjunction with other deterrence strategies. Scents like peppermint oil, eucalyptus, cinnamon, cloves, and mint are often suggested as natural remedies. To create a spray, you can mix two cups of warm water with half a cup of sugar and a few drops of your preferred essential oil. Apply this mixture using a spray bottle to possible entry points and throughout the affected area, such as an attic. While this home remedy is popular, evidence supporting its effectiveness is limited.