The truth is, there really is no such thing as a 100% deer-proof plant. Deer will decimate even the prickliest flora if they’re hungry enough. However, there are plenty of beautiful plants that deer don’t necessarily enjoy. These include thistles, wisteria vines, sword ferns, and beautyberries.

Deer are herbivores, and they love vegetable gardens as much as Peter Rabbit. If you don’t want to fence in your entire property, consider creating an attractive raised-bed veggie garden with mesh fencing around it to keep out deer and other critters.

In addition to a clean home, fleas dislike oils made from plants that are naturally bug-resistant or poisonous to bugs. That includes myrtle, mint, eucalyptus, and especially cedar oil. Common household remedies like baking soda, garlic and apple vinegar don’t have any effect on fleas. Don’t spray essential oils directly on your own skin or your pets (and their bedding, because it can be a skin irritant. Stay away from tea tree oil. In pure form it can be very toxic to pets. Always ask your vet if you have any questions.

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. 

Snakes love yards where they can access pet food, insects, and rodents. They also like places with plenty of hiding spots, such as tall grasses, thick or overgrown shrubbery, pools of water, broken gutters, and boxes. Reducing clutter and debris on your property may help keep them from visiting.