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Squirrels rely heavily on their sense of smell and are deterred by a variety of scents. Some of the most effective smells for repelling them include peppermint oil, coffee grounds, white vinegar, garlic, cinnamon, rosemary, and predator urine. They also have a strong aversion to capsaicin, the compound that makes chili peppers hot, making capsaicin-based sprays an effective repellent for areas like gardens or bird feeders. For a DIY solution, you can create a spray from garlic and vinegar and apply it daily. Additionally, squirrels dislike strong, fresh scents, so placing items like strong-smelling soaps or dryer sheets in areas they frequent can also help keep them away.

Yes, rats will go near a sleeping human, especially if there is food or crumbs nearby. What’s worse, they may even bite humans while they are asleep. Common places for bites are exposed fingers, toes, hands, and faces. To minimize the risk of rats approaching you and your family members while they’re asleep, do not eat or leave accessible food packages in the bedroom.

While many pests like rats, mice, ants, cockroaches, silverfish, and bed bugs can damage your home, termites are among the most destructive. By sheer dollar amount, the damage from a bad termite infestation is unparalleled, as they can ruin walls, floors, roofs, and wooden support materials, potentially requiring massive reconstruction. Other highly destructive pests include rodents, carpenter ants, and bees that build hives within walls. If you spot signs of termites or other pests, you should hire an exterminator immediately.

Spiders are tiny creatures that can squeeze through the smallest cracks, so it’s impossible to guarantee eradication of every one within a home. However, understanding how to get rid of house spiders helps you be proactive with preventatives, minimizing the chance of an infestation taking hold. And if you do end up with a spider colony, thankfully, there are effective strategies for controlling the numbers.