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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.

Rabbits face a range of formidable adversaries in rural and suburban areas. Natural predators such as hawks, foxes, bobcats, raccoons, coyotes, and weasels pose significant threats to their survival. These skilled hunters target bunnies for food, contributing to regulating rabbit populations. Outdoor housepets can be enemies, too, particularly dogs and cats. And loud little humans playing in your yard make great rabbit deterrents, too.

Skunks like to forage for grubs in the soil, like worms and insects, but they are also tempted by trash and pet food bowls, so keeping these items out of sight may help keep skunks away. Skunks also like to set up a den in dark places, such as a crawl space or outbuilding.

Bed bugs typically will not go away on their own. If there are no humans or animals around, they will need to leave to find a host for feeding. But otherwise, bed bugs can live for several months to a year, and the adult females can lay hundreds more eggs in their lifetime. An infestation is only likely to get worse without hiring an exterminator.