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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.

Some plants that are toxic to animals or insects are also toxic to people. Daffodils, for example, are considered poisonous to humans (although they are rarely fatal). Most of the other plants listed above, however, are safe (and delicious!) for humans to eat, including basil, rosemary, and lemongrass.

It may be better to have a mouse in your house than a rat. Rats are larger, more aggressive, and more difficult to eradicate once settled. One rat can cause more damage than one mouse. However, both animals pose a danger in that they can spread bacteria and contaminate food, so you’ll want to contact an exterminator as soon as you detect an infestation of either animal.

Absolutely! Keeping up to date with regular flea treatments for pets, washing their bedding, and vacuuming regularly are all simple and inexpensive ways to help prevent a flea infestation from developing in the first place. 

Annual flea control treatments for your pet typically cost between $40 and $200. Talk to your vet about safe and effective options.

Keeping up with garden maintenance also helps make your yard less inviting for fleas. Mow your lawn regularly, don’t overwater, and avoid attracting rodents by carefully storing food waste, removing clutter, and sealing holes.