Best animal fencing pros near Waterloo, IA

Groundhogs have a strong aversion to powerful scents, including garlic, ammonia, vinegar, hot peppers like cayenne, and predator urine. Various herbs such as rosemary, lavender, basil, mint, sage, thyme, and oregano can also act as deterrents. You can strategically use these odors around your property by planting these crops near your garden and by the entrances to groundhog burrows. Commercially available repellents offer another option, and for best results, scent-based deterrents should be used alongside other preventive measures.

Moles breed once a year, marking March on their calendars as peak season. However, their breeding season can start as early as February and wrap up in May. Their gestation period is 4 weeks, with litters ranging from 2 to 6 little ones. They are considered all grown up by the three-month mark, making them ready for parenthood.

If you’re having trouble with your traps, first examine them for flaws that would allow a squirrel to escape easily, such as loose doors or hinges. It’s also important to consider the location of your trap: Place it in areas with higher squirrel traffic, and make sure it’s on a sturdy surface so it can’t wobble or tip (squirrels aren’t likely to walk in a trap that isn’t stable). Lastly, try changing out your bait—in-shell peanuts or peanut butter often work best.

This varies based on the circumstance. Chemical-based pest control baits and poisons are usually the most potent, but they are unsafe to use around children and pets, so they won’t be a fit for every household.

Safer alternatives, such as boric acid and food-grade diatomaceous earth, can work as well, though they should still stay out of reach. Aside from that, the best thing any DIY-er can do is make their place uninviting by sealing off entry points, eliminating clutter, and maintaining a clean home.