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Squirrels have a strong sense of smell and can be deterred by various scents they dislike. Effective options include peppermint oil, rosemary, garlic, cinnamon, white vinegar, coffee grounds, and predator urine. Squirrels also have a strong aversion to capsaicin, the compound that makes chili peppers hot, making capsaicin-based repellents a good choice for protecting specific areas like gardens or bird feeders. For a DIY solution, you can create a garlic and vinegar spray and apply it daily. Additionally, placing strong-smelling items like certain soaps or dryer sheets near where squirrels frequent can also be effective.

To find a quality professional and avoid pest control scams, it's important to do your homework before you hire. Start by reading customer reviews or getting a direct recommendation from a friend, neighbor, or family member. Once you have a shortlist of top-rated companies, verify that each pro is licensed and insured. It’s also a good idea to get multiple price quotes from vetted pros to find the best deal.

Summer is the best time of year to treat chinch bugs. Check the instructions on the treatment method or consult a pest control pro for timing recommendations. You want to wait for chinch bugs to have a chance at coming out of hibernation and move around, but not too long that they start doing damage. Aim for around mid to late spring for most chinch treatments.

When it comes to keeping birds from doing their business on your porch rails, you have several DIY options and home remedies you can try: 

• Tie a fishing line from one end of the deck post to the other. Birds won’t be able to see the line across the railing, so they can’t land on it.  

• Hang wind chimes close by, which may scare birds away. 

• Apply a bird gel repellent to the railings, which contains smells that birds generally don’t like. Or, similarly, you can apply citronella or lemon oil around the railings, since birds don’t like strong smells.