Keep Raccoons, Skunks, and Possums Out of Your Yard

Besides being pesky mammals, raccoons, skunks, and possums have something in common—they hate light. Keep the outside of your home well-lit, and they’ll stay way. This is also a good tip if you have a dog: Make sure you turn on the light before you let your dog out in the yard at night, and give skunks and other creatures time to amble away.

How to Keep Animals Out of Your Trash

To keep raccoons, possums, skunks, or other critters out of your garbage, regularly spray the side of your cans with a mixture of half ammonia, and half water. They hate the smell (as we all do) and will stay away. (You can also try using an ammonia-based glass cleaner like Windex, but it’s not as strong.)

Reclaiming Your Yard from Raccoons and Skunks

Have the raccoons or skunks grown rather bold around your yard? Try this equivalent of a phony “Beware of Dog” sign by distributing dog hair around your property.

Pet-Safe Way to Repel Raccoons

Raccoons keep getting into your trash, and so far your only strategy is running outside to yell at them every night. Save your screaming and purchase some inexpensive Epsom salts from a drugstore. Sprinkle them on and around your garbage cans and raccoons will stay away, but it’s safe for your dog or cat!

See also: 10 All-Natural DIY Fertilizers for Your Garden and Yard

Keep Possums Away

If opossums (aka possums) are a problem in your yard, mix together camphor oil with enough petroleum jelly to make a paste, and spread it around the base of trees. The smell should keep them away.

Get Rid of Skunks in Your Yard

Mothballs aren’t just for moths! Sprinkle them around your yard, and they’ll keep skunks away. Just be careful, as they’re harmful to your pet should he decide to eat them!

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Image courtesy of Shutterstock.