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Bobcats do attack domesticated animals, like small dogs and cats. Your pets are especially at risk if they’re below 30 pounds. The best way to protect your pets is to keep them safely indoors at night when bobcats are more likely to be roaming or being outside with your pets so they’re not unaccompanied.

Animals that dig holes in the yard at night include skunks and raccoons. Both animals are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night and use that time to hunt or forage. Skunks will dig small holes to find insects, while raccoons use their strong front legs to pull up chunks of sod and search for food underneath.

Once the animals and their young are out of the house, remove the nest and locate any entry points. Some may be difficult to find because some animals can fit through very small holes. Once you’ve located as many entry points as possible, use materials such as metal or masonry to block off the entry. Ideally, you should choose materials that most animals cannot chew through. Create a one-way door or flap to allow animals to leave but not return. Additional methods include using repellants designed to make an area unappealing to the types of animals that find your home so inviting. 

If you’re having trouble with your traps, first examine them for flaws that would allow a squirrel to escape easily, such as loose doors or hinges. It’s also important to consider the location of your trap: Place it in areas with higher squirrel traffic, and make sure it’s on a sturdy surface so it can’t wobble or tip (squirrels aren’t likely to walk in a trap that isn’t stable). Lastly, try changing out your bait—in-shell peanuts or peanut butter often work best.