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Spraying for mosquitos is better than fogging. A mosquito barrier spray is designed to linger on surfaces and kill mosquitos for up to three weeks, and repeated visits from your pest control pro can keep mosquitos out of your yard all season long. Fogging is a short-term fix that only works for about 72 hours and doesn't kill mosquito larvae or eggs. If you’re concerned about the environment, a natural mosquito repellant may be better than either fogging or spraying.

These are the signs of bed bugs to look out for:

• Blood or rust-colored stains on mattresses, fabrics, or upholstery

• Dark spots of excrement that look like dots from a fine-tipped permanent marker

• Tiny eggshells and yellowish shed skins

Using chemicals with harsh odors is a natural way to repel bears. While the animal’s strong sense of smell is an asset in the animal kingdom, it’s a weakness here. Simply place bleach or ammonia in a bucket and leave it outside day or night. Ironically, bears also dislike the smell of pine, so you can use pine oil or a pine-based cleaning agent. Avoid using cleaning products with fruit or citrus smells, however.

This varies based on the circumstance. Chemical-based pest control baits and poisons are usually the most potent, but they are unsafe to use around children and pets, so they won’t be a fit for every household.

Safer alternatives, such as boric acid and food-grade diatomaceous earth, can work as well, though they should still stay out of reach. Aside from that, the best thing any DIY-er can do is make their place uninviting by sealing off entry points, eliminating clutter, and maintaining a clean home.