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Squash bugs don’t bite humans or pets. Their piercing-sucking mouthparts are designed specifically for feeding on plants, not people. While they can be a major nuisance in the garden, they pose no direct physical threat to you, and you don’t need to worry about bites, stings, or venom from these pests.

Fruit flies are more common during warm-weather months and may go away on their own in late fall once temperatures drop. However, they can survive year-round indoors as long as there's food available, so you'll likely want to take a proactive approach to get rid of them and stop the spread of bacteria.

Stink bugs hate strong, fragrant scents like clove, lemongrass, spearmint, and Ylang Ylang, so you can use essential oils as a natural deterrent. (Always keep them out of reach of your pets!) In the garden, plants like lavender, garlic, and catnip can ward off stink bugs thanks to their pungent aroma. Also, avoid decorating with white, as stink bugs are oddly attracted to it.

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.