Trees that provide a habitat to bats and an abundance of bugs—their main food source—will attract bats to your yard. Because the North American landscape has changed so much in recent years, bats have a harder time finding trees with cavities to shelter in. If your yard has a dead or dying tree with a lot of sun exposure, bats will likely be drawn to it because trees with those features are less common.

Vinegar can keep some animals at bay, like deer, rabbits, foxes, and raccoons. Keep in mind that your household pets, like cats and dogs, also don’t like the smell of vinegar. You can soak rags in white vinegar and put them up around your garden beds to keep the pesky critters from eating your plants.

Animal removal specialists specialize in removing critters and wildlife from in and around your home. These include:

• Bats

• Birds

• Groundhogs

• Moles and voles

• Opossums

• Mice and rats

• Raccoons

• Skunks

• Squirrels

The specialist's method to remove these critters will depend on the animal. For example, groundhogs will be live-trapped and relocated, whereas, for birds, the expert will remove and discard the inactive nest and sanitize the area. 

The best animal repellents for gardens include a variety of different scents. You can use predator urine to keep away deer, raccoons, squirrels, and more. The odor will tell the critters that your yard is a dangerous place. Other scents that repel critters are herbs like lavender, geranium, and mint. You can also use hot pepper, garlic, and strong-smelling soap.