Get matched with top animal fencing pros in Shingletown, CA

Squirrels rely heavily on their sense of smell and are deterred by a variety of scents. Some of the most effective smells for repelling them include peppermint oil, coffee grounds, white vinegar, garlic, cinnamon, rosemary, and predator urine. They also have a strong aversion to capsaicin, the compound that makes chili peppers hot, making capsaicin-based sprays an effective repellent for areas like gardens or bird feeders. For a DIY solution, you can create a spray from garlic and vinegar and apply it daily. Additionally, squirrels dislike strong, fresh scents, so placing items like strong-smelling soaps or dryer sheets in areas they frequent can also help keep them away.

To keep deer from eating your trees, you can either put up barriers or install a deer repellant. Barriers that protect trees from deer include tree wrap or fencing. You can also plant deer-resistant trees to prevent deer from eating or scraping against your trees or garden with plants that deer don’t like to be around.

There are several ways to dry out flea eggs. Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a natural ingredient that can dry out fleas, but it’s messy to apply and can also cause respiratory issues for members of your household if inhaled. Salt is safer and easier to apply, so shake it liberally over affected areas. Boric acid is another way to get rid of fleas and other insects, but this, too, can cause respiratory issues and health problems if inhaled or ingested.

While there are plenty of DIY home remedies for pests, trapping and fumigation costs are worth the investment when dealing with a serious infestation that is hard to get rid of, like termites,  bed bugs, or mice.

DIY traps and sprays might help eliminate a few ants or the occasional mouse, but they're no match for a full-blown infestation. Call an extermination pro to locate where pests hide, how to treat the issue at the source, and how to keep it from returning.