Raccoons:
* Strong smells: Raccoons have a keen sense of smell and dislike strong odors, especially ammonia, bleach, and peppermint. These scents can deter them from areas they've been frequenting.
* Bright lights: Raccoons are nocturnal and are easily startled by bright lights. Motion-activated lights can scare them away.
* Noise: Loud noises, such as barking dogs or car alarms, can also frighten raccoons.
* Open containers: Raccoons are notorious for their ability to open containers, but they dislike open containers that are difficult to manipulate, such as those with tight lids or secured with bungee cords.
* Predator scents: Raccoons are prey animals and will avoid areas with the scent of their predators, such as dogs or coyotes.
Skunks:
* Loud noises: Skunks are easily startled by loud noises, especially those that come unexpectedly.
* Bright lights: Like raccoons, skunks are nocturnal and prefer darkness.
* Strong smells: While skunks are known for their foul odor, they also dislike strong smells, especially those that are unpleasant or irritating.
* Predator scents: Skunks are prey animals and will avoid areas with the scent of their predators, such as dogs or coyotes.
* Water: Skunks are not strong swimmers and generally avoid water.
Both Raccoons and Skunks:
* Human presence: Both raccoons and skunks are wary of humans and prefer to avoid them whenever possible.
* Unfamiliar environments: Both animals are more comfortable in familiar environments and may be deterred by unfamiliar surroundings.
Keep in mind that these are general tendencies, and individual animals may have different preferences.