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Squirrels rely heavily on their sense of smell and are deterred by a variety of scents. Some of the most effective smells for repelling them include peppermint oil, coffee grounds, white vinegar, garlic, cinnamon, rosemary, and predator urine. They also have a strong aversion to capsaicin, the compound that makes chili peppers hot, making capsaicin-based sprays an effective repellent for areas like gardens or bird feeders. For a DIY solution, you can create a spray from garlic and vinegar and apply it daily. Additionally, squirrels dislike strong, fresh scents, so placing items like strong-smelling soaps or dryer sheets in areas they frequent can also help keep them away.

Squirrels are pretty skittish creatures, and they dread the presence of rodent-chasing dogs and cats. Sudden noises and bursts of activity can send them scampering away. Anything with an element of surprise, like motion-detecting lighting, strobe lights, and noisy wind chimes, can unsettle them. Even loud radios and voices can be perceived as threatening and terrifying to these furry critters.

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.

Ant and termite infestations look very different. Since termites feed on wood, one of the warning signs of their presence is drooping drywall, peeling paint, loose floor tiles, and crumbling wood. On the other hand, ants feed on plant- and animal-based food options, so you’ll likely spot a colony near your home’s food sources. If you’re unsure what type of pest infestation you have, hire a pest control specialist to inspect for you.