How do I keep animals away from my plants?

• <div><p>You can take multiple approaches to keep animals out of your edible landscape. You can use natural repellents such as mint and cayenne pepper to deter them from your garden. You can also build a fence (or opt for a <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/privet-hedge.htm">privet hedge</a>) or keep the most enticing plants in a sectioned-off area. The most efficient method of keeping your four-legged guests at bay is to determine what animal it is and create a customized plan for them. </p></div>

Best animal fencing pros near Dedham, ME

Q: What scent do groundhogs hate?

• <div><p>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.</p></div>

Q: What makes skunks so smelly?

• <div><p>Skunks spray as a defense mechanism to ward off predators. The active ingredient in their sulfurous, oily musk is n-butyl mercaptan, which evaporates into a powerful and smelly gas. Once the spray hits the skunk&rsquo;s target, the stench can linger for days, and water and common cleaning kits aren&rsquo;t enough to wash it away.</p><p>If you happen upon a skunk in your yard, try to back away slowly to reduce the chance of them aiming at you. Encouragingly, they don&rsquo;t use their weapon casually, as it can take up to 10 days for their life-saving weaponry to refill. Paw stamping, hissing, lifting their tail, and arching their back are early signs they feel trapped or under threat and that it&rsquo;s time to make a careful retreat.</p></div>

Q: What do squirrels hate?

• <div><p>Squirrels hate anything that disturbs the peace in their nest. Loud noises, bright lights, and strong smells like cayenne pepper or mothballs will deter them from your attic. Spread these scents, add a strobe light, or use an ultrasonic repeller to keep squirrels from nesting in your attic.</p></div>

Q: What are squirrels afraid of?

• <div><p>Squirrels are pretty skittish creatures, and they dread the presence of rodent-chasing dogs and cats. Sudden noises and bursts of activity can send them scampering away. Anything with an element of surprise, like motion-detecting lighting, strobe lights, and noisy wind chimes, can unsettle them. Even loud radios and voices can be perceived as threatening and terrifying to these furry critters.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Animal Fencing Service pros in Dedham, ME

*The Angi rating for Animal Fencing Service companies in Dedham, ME is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Animal Fencing Service needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Animal Fencing Service companies in Dedham, ME is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Animal Fencing Service needs.

Last update on September 29, 2025

Reviewed in September 2025
Chet and his crew were phenomenal. Helpful and knowledgeable!! The fence is beautiful.
Blue spruce fence and deck
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Reviewed in March 2024
Eastern Maine Excavation built my in ground pool during the Spring season of 2023. This was a big investment for our family, so choosing the right contractor was critical in our decision process. After countless hours of researching about the process, I inquired a wide range of quotes. After...
Eastern Maine Excavation LLC
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Reviewed in June 2020
I am beyond thrilled with the work Colonial Construction has done. When Joe and I first met, I told him that I really want the place to feel like a home, a real home, not a trailer with an addition. Joe and his team delivered what I had asked for in spades. It really feels like a real home now....
Colonial Construction Co., Inc.
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Reviewed in October 2019
Ray did a great job. It's very comforting to know there will never be another animal under my sun room and deck.
Northeast Wildlife Services
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Reviewed in October 2019
Ray did a great job. It's very comforting to know there will never be another animal under my sun room and deck.
Northeast Wildlife Services
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Reviewed in July 2019
Excellent work and price on my fence installation.
Packrat Property Revival, LLC
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Reviewed in June 2019
Tyler and his crew did a great job taking down the trees. There was some damage to a fence from a falling limb and they made it right. The debris was cleaned up and he negotiated to have the wood sold in return for the chipping and cleanup. I would definitely use him again.
McIntosh Forestry Services
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Reviewed in November 2018
Caleb knows his stuff. He was the only vendor that suggested other areas to think about if we were selling our home, such as refinishing the front patio with a concrete paint, and doing the street-facing front of the fence. He didn't push anything, just gave me things to think about. ...
Top Stream Exterior Home Wash
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Reviewed in September 2018
We wanted to re-purpose an existing fence on our property. We did not realize it, but some of the fencing could not be used. Superior came up with a new design on the spot (better than what we had planned) and got the job done quickly and efficiently!
Superior Fence, Inc.
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Reviewed in August 2017
Chris and his crew did a fantastic job on our exterior house paint. They painted the house and deck as well as staining a deck, railings and a privacy fence. Very professional and friendly. Once they came out to give us a quote and we hired them, the project was completed very quickly. ...
Cheap Guys Painting, LLC
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Top-Rated Animal fencing pros in Dedham - Updated Nov 2026

Blue spruce fence and deck

4.7(

)

Electronic Pet Fence - InstallElectronic Pet Fence - Repair or Adjust

Serving Dedham, ME and surrounding areas

In business since 2013

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"I expressed my urgency for a fenced area for my dogs and within a week the project was scheduled and completed. We couldn't be happier with the fence and plan on working with Blue Spruce on other projects in the near future."

+23

Response time2 days

Recommended by96%of homeowners

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Blakely Fence and Forge LLC

3.5(

)

Electronic Pet Fence - InstallElectronic Pet Fence - Repair or Adjust

Serving Dedham, ME and surrounding areas

In business since 2022

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Blake and his team did an incredible job completing a barn addition for me. Very professional and quick work."

+14

Recommended by83%of homeowners

Electronic Pet Fence - InstallElectronic Pet Fence - Repair or Adjust

Serving Dedham, ME and surrounding areas

In business since 2008

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

Call Jeff Johnson today for your honey-do list. I have been in business for 5 years Serving the Herman, ME and surrounding areas. Locally owned and operated.

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Strouts Handyman Services

New to Angi

Electronic Pet Fence - InstallElectronic Pet Fence - Repair or Adjust

Serving Dedham, ME and surrounding areas

In business since 2018

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

With over 4 years experience in the carpentry industry, (Strouts handyman services ) is your industry expert in (Penobscot ). We pride ourselves on our extreme professionalism and attention to detail. Our customer satisfaction guarantee will assure you we will not leave your property until you are completely satisfied with our work. As a family owned and operated business you can trust that we will treat your home as we would treat our own. Give us a call today we look forward to working with you!

Response time4 days

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Friendly Odd Jobs, LLC

1.9(

)

Electronic Pet Fence - InstallElectronic Pet Fence - Repair or Adjust

Serving Dedham, ME and surrounding areas

In business since 2015

Credit card accepted

Friendly Odd Jobs is dedicated to providing our customers with the best quality and craftsmanship. We are here to build relationships with our customers and communities and to provide our employees with a great place to work. We look forward to working with you!

Response time4 days

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Animal Fencing FAQs, answered by experts

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.

You can take multiple approaches to keep animals out of your edible landscape. You can use natural repellents such as mint and cayenne pepper to deter them from your garden. You can also build a fence (or opt for a privet hedge) or keep the most enticing plants in a sectioned-off area. The most efficient method of keeping your four-legged guests at bay is to determine what animal it is and create a customized plan for them.

Skunks spray as a defense mechanism to ward off predators. The active ingredient in their sulfurous, oily musk is n-butyl mercaptan, which evaporates into a powerful and smelly gas. Once the spray hits the skunk’s target, the stench can linger for days, and water and common cleaning kits aren’t enough to wash it away.

If you happen upon a skunk in your yard, try to back away slowly to reduce the chance of them aiming at you. Encouragingly, they don’t use their weapon casually, as it can take up to 10 days for their life-saving weaponry to refill. Paw stamping, hissing, lifting their tail, and arching their back are early signs they feel trapped or under threat and that it’s time to make a careful retreat.

Squirrels hate anything that disturbs the peace in their nest. Loud noises, bright lights, and strong smells like cayenne pepper or mothballs will deter them from your attic. Spread these scents, add a strobe light, or use an ultrasonic repeller to keep squirrels from nesting in your attic.

Squirrels are pretty skittish creatures, and they dread the presence of rodent-chasing dogs and cats. Sudden noises and bursts of activity can send them scampering away. Anything with an element of surprise, like motion-detecting lighting, strobe lights, and noisy wind chimes, can unsettle them. Even loud radios and voices can be perceived as threatening and terrifying to these furry critters.

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