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.
Gophers do not hibernate, meaning you could, at least theoretically, have a gopher problem in your yard any time of year. During the colder parts of the year when soil isn't as easy to work with, gophers may not dig as many holes or be as active and instead will burrow deeper into the earth to go below the frost line to stay warm.
You can expect to see more gopher activity during the spring and fall when warmer temperatures make digging easy, and there is an abundance of new (or recently harvested) plant life available for them to graze on. They come out during the day and sleep at night.
Professional animal removal costs between $200 and $600 for average homeowners. However, depending on the type and number of critters removed, this cost could range from $85 to $1,400.
This cost does not include the cost of home damage caused by the animal, which could be as low as $300 for minor drywall repair or as much as $15,000 for crawl space cleaning and restoration.
Foxes can catch rabies. However, it is rare, and even rarer for them to pass this disease on to humans. If you do see a fox in your vicinity acting strangely, disorientated, having seizures, or randomly trying to bite, contact your local animal control, police, or Department of Environmental Control. And if you are scratched or bitten by an animal you suspect has rabies, seek medical treatment immediately.
No, pest-repellent plants can only reduce the number of pests in your garden—they won’t repel all of them. So, for example, a plant like catnip that repels mosquitoes won’t completely eradicate them from your yard.
The Howes, SD homeowners’ guide to animal fencing services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Pipe fencing is an extremely strong, durable option for containing horses and other livestock. This guide breaks down the factors that affect pipe fence cost.