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If the snakes in your yard are non-venomous species (like common Rat or Garter snakes), why not consider the live-and-let-live approach? Some benefits of not getting rid of snakes include:

• They’re great at controlling disease-spreading rodent populations, including rats, mice, voles, and moles.

• Some non-venomous species (like the common kingsnake) eat venomous species like rattlesnakes and copperheads.

• Species like the garter snake keep down populations of garden pests like slugs and grasshoppers.

In addition to a dislike of strong smells, such as peppermint, citrus, cinnamon, lavender, and eucalyptus, there are some who believe spiders dislike music or other loud sounds. You can try cranking up your music, and the spiders supposedly don’t care for the vibration, which can help keep them out of your home. Continuous vibrations can throw off their senses and make them look for a food source elsewhere.

A wasp is less likely to sting you if you remain still and calm when it lands on your or flies around you. Most wasps only sting when they feel threatened or disturbed, which is how they may interpret rapid movement or swatting. This is why it’s best to suppress movement and wait for the wasp to fly away.

Heat is the most effective instant killer of bed bugs. Exposing them to temperatures above 131 degrees Fahrenheit for over an hour can eliminate them. Methods like steam cleaners and using a dryer on high heat are effective for this. Other options that can kill bed bugs on contact include EPA-approved pesticides, bleach, disinfectant sprays with alcohol, diatomaceous earth, and hydrogen peroxide. While freezing can work, it is not an instant solution, as it can take several days at 0 degrees Fahrenheit to be effective. Keep in mind that many DIY treatments won't reach bed bugs hidden in cracks or behind walls. For severe infestations or the most effective results, it is best to hire a professional exterminator for a professional heat or chemical treatment.