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Squirrels hate not having access to secure shelter or food sources. Your best line of defense is to make your property less attractive by removing access to these things. There are chemical squirrel repellents, but these have mixed success. According to Pennsylvania State University, you can apply products containing the bittering agent denatonium saccharide to a squirrel's favorite fence, tree, or roof spots. However, you need to reapply repellents regularly, which aren’t scientifically proven effective.

Having bugs in our houses is quite normal. However, if you notice a sudden uptick in quantity, there's often a reason behind it. Seasonal weather changes, particularly warm to cool, drive bugs indoors as they look for comfort. Structural damage to your home can open up new ways for them to get in, and a new water leak somewhere in the house can invite them to get comfortable.

If the nest is on or in your home, you should have an exterminator remove it. However, if the wasp nest is in an area of your yard that you don't frequent, you can leave it alone as long as the wasps don’t bother your household members. Wasps are very active during the summer months, but they will vacate in the fall and not return until the following year. So, if it's safe to do so, you can leave it, but if it poses a threat of being stung because it's in an area that you use frequently, consider having it removed.

Cockroaches are attracted to the smell of food. They're particularly attracted to grease, meat, cheese, sugar, and starch. Any rotten food such as fruits or vegetables puts off a strong odor that attracts the pests as well. Even dirty clothing can be enticing for cockroaches, which is why they're often found in laundry baskets.