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Like many animals, gophers are bothered by strong scents. Peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil,  and coffee grounds can be used as deterrents against these pests. Similarly, you can try planting lavender, rosemary, sage, geraniums, or pine trees, as these plants all have strong smells that can ward away gophers. While it may be less pleasant to work with, coyote urine scares gophers by tricking the pests into thinking your yard is a predator hot spot.

Attempting to squish a scorpion by hand or foot isn’t a good idea, as many can flatten themselves and survive a simple strike—plus, they’ll be provoked and very likely to sting. Instead, it's best to use a sharp or heavy object to pierce or crush the exoskeleton with force. Always wear protective clothing, including thick gloves, pants, and closed-toe shoes, to avoid being stung. Use long tweezers, scissors, or a knife to pierce the exoskeleton or crush it with a heavy object, making sure to twist or press down firmly to ensure the scorpion is truly dead.

Besides using the best bait for an opossum trap, other things that can attract them to enter include covering the base with soil or leaf litter and placing it along their path of travel near the denning spot. Leave the trap out overnight, as opossums are nocturnal animals, and check the trap daily.

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.