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Using chemicals with harsh odors is a natural way to repel bears. While the animal’s strong sense of smell is an asset in the animal kingdom, it’s a weakness here. Simply place bleach or ammonia in a bucket and leave it outside day or night. Ironically, bears also dislike the smell of pine, so you can use pine oil or a pine-based cleaning agent. Avoid using cleaning products with fruit or citrus smells, however.

The cost of pest control services depends on various factors, but the average homeowner pays around $175, with a typical range of $100 to $500. Your final cost will be influenced by the type of pest, the size and severity of the infestation, and the number of treatments needed.

Service costs also vary by frequency:

• One-time service: $300–$550

• Initial visit for ongoing service: $150–$300

• Monthly visits: $40–$70

• Quarterly visits: $100–$300

• Annual visits: $300–$550

For specific pest examples, getting rid of spiders typically costs between $100 and $300, whereas a termite infestation can cost from $230 to $2,500 or more, depending on the extent of the damage.

Squirrels hate not having access to secure shelter or food sources. Your best line of defense is to make your property less attractive by removing access to these things. There are chemical squirrel repellents, but these have mixed success. According to Pennsylvania State University, you can apply products containing the bittering agent denatonium saccharide to a squirrel's favorite fence, tree, or roof spots. However, you need to reapply repellents regularly, which aren’t scientifically proven effective.

Any food that’s left out can potentially attract mice, but they especially like grains such as rice. Mice will also go after fruit, fatty foods like bacon, pasta, and cereal. Mice can also be attracted to garbage and compost bins if they’re left uncovered. The best way to prevent mice from getting to these areas is to keep food in hard-sided containers and cover garbage bins.