Dear Marni,

A few months ago, we published a newsletter all about attracting wildlife to your garden. At the time I wrote that article, I LOVED all wildlife. I didn't mind that the deer wandered into my yard and ate my plants, or that the crazy squirrels were running all around, jumping from treetops to the roof of my house. I thought that was all part of the joy and beauty of a garden.

Since that time, a series of encounters with garden critters and a little education have led me to change my mind about certain critters in the yard. Over the last 3 weeks, I have had encounters with skunks, raccoons, and gophers, and squirrels; in my yard alone! And what I have learned about these critters has made me even more certain that I should get rid of them.

Unwanted critters in your yard, such as skunks, raccoons, gophers, moles, and many more, can be more than just annoying. Skunks, for example, are common carriers of rabies, and they frequently spray our domestic pets; wreaking havoc on the entire household!

Squirrels, which seem cute and cuddly from afar, but in close confines pose quite a danger. They can also carry disease and, especially in numbers, will tear apart your attic, basement, or any other entry to a suitable home for them.

Raccoons are another very pesky - and dangerous - critter who also spread diseases. In particular, there is a bacteria that can be present in their droppings which is incredibly dangerous to children. In addition, raccoons can be devastating to your home. They have been known to make their nests in the attic, basement, even the hot tub! Not only do they get into your garbage and steal all of your dogs' food, but they may also enter the home, posing a threat to pets and children; as well as leaving their droppings around the home.

In addition to these problems, all of these critters can wreak havoc in our yard and garden. They eat the foliage of our most expensive and favorite plants and eat bulbs right out of the ground - before they even have a chance to bloom! They damage the root systems of some plants, and can produce unsightly mounds in the garden. In addition, they leave their stinky poo in the most inconvenient places!

In this guide, Critter Repellents & Poisons, we outline some of the most common problem critters, and solutions to getting them out of your yard. Our solutions range from natural deterrents all the way to poisons or traps. If you're having trouble deciding, come in to the garden center and one of our knowledgeable salespeople will help you find the right solution for your pest!