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It is a myth that smashing a stink bug attracts more stink bugs. According to the National Pesticide Information Center, killing a stink bug will not attract more of them. They are able to secrete a pheromone that attracts other bugs, but they will only release their alarm pheromone when they’re squished—which won’t attract more bugs. 

Squash bugs only see one generation per year, but that doesn’t mean they won’t return. These persistent pests overwinter in garden debris, under leaves, and in nearby structures, emerging in the spring ready to start the cycle again. Without proper cleanup and preventative measures, you can expect squash bugs to come back each growing season, especially if you’ve had issues with them in the past.

No, you should never vacuum or sweep up mouse or rat droppings, as doing so can release harmful particles into the air and increase your risk of disease exposure. Instead, wear gloves and a mask, spray the droppings with a disinfectant spray, let it soak for a few minutes, and then carefully wipe them up with paper towels. Afterward, disinfect the area thoroughly and immediately wash your hands when you’re done.

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.