How many times have you either caught squirrels partying in your bird feeder, racoons raiding the trash, or Stinky the Skunk take up residence under your porch? Well, here are some really cheap helpful hints that just may do the job for you!

One convenient way to keep the neighborhood squirrels from raiding your bird feeder is to hang the feeder from the center length of a heavy wire. String empty spools of thread on both sides of the feeder, then hang the wire between two trees. Squirrels will not be able to pass the spinning spools without falling off the wire! How much easier then that can be?

Do you wake night after night to the clanking of trash cans? Are the raccoons having a party and eating your garbage as orderves as you sleep?

If your cans come with lids that have open handles on the sides and lid,rummage through your drawers to find an old worn-out pair of panty hose. You can use them bungee cord style to tie the lid down and deter those masked raiders!

 Has this other night bandit/pest decided to steak a claim to under your house? Or in your garage?

Believe it or not, skunks hate perfume!  You can discourage this unwelcome neighbor plus get get rid of some unwanted perfume.  Oddly enough, skunks generally avoid perfume- and you can use that bit of trivia to keep them out of your woodshed, garage, or anyplace else they have been visiting. 

Take an old sock or stocking, cut it off at the ankle, and then douse some yarn with the perfume which you will place inside of it.  Close the top by tying it shut and put it wherever you want to discourage that pesky skunk!

Do you have the problem of black flies wanting to make your yard a place to feast? Then you might want to try this cheap trick! Smear undiluted vanilla on any exposed skin before heading outdoors. I know you will find this hard to believe, but this will actually deter flies and they will look elsewhere for a meal, leaving you alone!

Another trick up my sleeve alternatively to fend off blackflies is by rubbing apple cider vinegar on your skin. Suprisingly, flies are fussy eaters! Although they still may annoy you with flying around your head, they won't be too anxious to zoom in for a bite!