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While foxes may find them unpleasant, mothballs are not an effective deterrent. Additionally, mothballs are toxic for humans and animals and should never be used outside. They contain naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, which are very harmful to the environment. Use safer, more reliable deterrents, or hire a professional wildlife control expert.

Groundhogs have a strong aversion to powerful scents, including garlic, ammonia, vinegar, hot peppers like cayenne, and predator urine. Various herbs such as rosemary, lavender, basil, mint, sage, thyme, and oregano can also act as deterrents. You can strategically use these odors around your property by planting these crops near your garden and by the entrances to groundhog burrows. Commercially available repellents offer another option, and for best results, scent-based deterrents should be used alongside other preventive measures.

Bears are most active at dawn and dusk. They can be active at any point during the day, but the hours after sunset and before sunrise are their primary feeding times. As far as time of year goes, bears are generally active from April to November and hibernate throughout the winter and early spring. Bears are more likely to be aggressive in the spring right after hibernation but more likely to be seen in the fall because they are preparing for hibernation.

DIY animal removal is rarely a good idea and is not advised for many reasons. First, these types of animals can carry diseases and, therefore, pose a health risk to you, your family, and your pets if mishandled. Second, depending on your city or municipality, it may be illegal to remove or handle wildlife yourself. 

Sealing your home against these animals yourself is also a bad idea. Trapping an animal under your house will cause odor and insect problems when it passes away.