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Seeing one mouse in your home doesn’t always indicate a full-blown infestation. However, it’s very likely that if you see one, there are more lurking around. Even if you suspect that a mouse sighting is an isolated incident, it’s important to take it seriously. One mouse will inevitably lead to more if you don’t take the proper measures to eliminate the problem.

While pressure-treated wood offers extra protection against decay and insects, it’s not entirely immune to termites. These pests can still snack on treated wood, so if you spot them, be ready for termite treatment costs that range anywhere from $73 to $1,730. However, your final price ultimately depends on how bad the infestation is and the treatment method. To keep your deck and home safe, regular inspections and preventative measures — like sealing gaps around the home and installing screens on doors and windows — are essential to protect your home, saving you from costly repairs in the future.

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.

Skunks spray as a defense mechanism to ward off predators. The active ingredient in their sulfurous, oily musk is n-butyl mercaptan, which evaporates into a powerful and smelly gas. Once the spray hits the skunk’s target, the stench can linger for days, and water and common cleaning kits aren’t enough to wash it away.

If you happen upon a skunk in your yard, try to back away slowly to reduce the chance of them aiming at you. Encouragingly, they don’t use their weapon casually, as it can take up to 10 days for their life-saving weaponry to refill. Paw stamping, hissing, lifting their tail, and arching their back are early signs they feel trapped or under threat and that it’s time to make a careful retreat.