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Rocks are less likely to attract snakes and other critters because their prey (termites, ticks, and other insects) don’t usually inhabit this environment. However, if you have placed together rocks with large spaces in between or near a source of water, you may find a snake or an occasional chipmunk seeking shelter.

Skunks spray as a defense mechanism to ward off predators. The active ingredient in their sulfurous, oily musk is n-butyl mercaptan, which evaporates into a powerful and smelly gas. Once the spray hits the skunk’s target, the stench can linger for days, and water and common cleaning kits aren’t enough to wash it away.

If you happen upon a skunk in your yard, try to back away slowly to reduce the chance of them aiming at you. Encouragingly, they don’t use their weapon casually, as it can take up to 10 days for their life-saving weaponry to refill. Paw stamping, hissing, lifting their tail, and arching their back are early signs they feel trapped or under threat and that it’s time to make a careful retreat.

It’s debatable, but most will say either termites or bed bugs are the hardest to remove. When dealing with termites, you must find the central nest (as opposed to satellite nests) and exterminate the queen and all potential queens, which often takes the work of a specialist. Bed bugs, meanwhile, are incredibly hardy, good at hiding, and resistant to pesticides, so it takes very careful, very thorough work to get rid of them permanently. 

While doggie doors are convenient for pet owners, they do offer a few drawbacks. For instance, they’re small enough that unwanted critters could come into the house, such as raccoons, snakes, rats, and insects.

They’re also large enough that small children can escape through them, which can be a serious concern to parents of young children.

Finally, doggie doors can make it difficult to regulate your home’s temperature because they constantly let in hot or cold outside air.