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Armadillos have very strong smelling capabilities to track down insects efficiently. But this superpower is actually a double-edged sword because their extreme sense of smell also causes them to be more sensitive and deterred by strong odors. To keep them at bay, you can place small amounts of substances like vinegar, ammonia, and mothballs around your property and near armadillo hotspots.

Although you can technically flood an armadillo out of its hole, it’s important to remember that this can be potentially fatal to the animal. Armadillos sleep between 16 and 18 hours a day, and if you perform this technique while they’re deep in sleep, they may not awake soon enough to save themselves.

Seeing a rat or two isn’t uncommon, especially in mild climates. That doesn’t mean they are actively a danger to your home. The problem is when you start seeing rats regularly in your yard, there’s a good chance they are also looking for ways to get into your house or other buildings. All they need is a small hole or gap, and they have a new place to nest -- which is bad news for you. Stay cautious if you start seeing rats in your yard all the time. 

Seeing one mouse in your home doesn’t always indicate a full-blown infestation. However, it’s very likely that if you see one, there are more lurking around. Even if you suspect that a mouse sighting is an isolated incident, it’s important to take it seriously. One mouse will inevitably lead to more if you don’t take the proper measures to eliminate the problem.

Gophers are ubiquitous in certain areas, and the only way to completely get rid of them is to put down gopher wire two feet below the surface of your soil and vertically along the edges of your yard. Unfortunately, this may not be a practical solution unless you’re completely redoing your yard or installing an aboveground garden. Alternatively, you may consider putting underground rock barriers around the edge of your yard to discourage gopher visits. However, you’ll still likely get some pests because they can dig as deep as 6 feet below the surface.