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Groundhogs are most active during the warmer months, from spring through fall. On a daily basis, they exhibit peak activity in the early morning (dawn) and late afternoon (dusk), which are their primary feeding times. They tend to stay in their cool burrows during the hottest, sunniest parts of the day. Groundhogs hibernate during the winter, typically retreating to their dens from October or November until mid to late February.

The best way to permanently get rid of skunks is by setting up deterrents around your property to keep skunks out. Get rid of skunks permanently by:

• Not leaving food or water outside

• Installing a motion-sensor sprinkler system

• Installing fencing that’s at least 3 feet high and a foot deep

• Adding motion-sensor lights in the yard

• Cleaning up brush, sticks, woodpiles, and leaves on your property so skunks can’t use the materials for a nest

• Seal up cracks and holes around your property to prevent skunks from building a den

• Placing fresh lemon peels around the perimeter of your home

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.

To keep animals away from your trash, you can spray store-bought ammonia-based cleaners on the bag or make your own spray. All you need is a spray bottle with one part ammonia and one part water. Once you’ve sprayed the bags, keep your kids and pets away.