Squirrels are adorable, but they can be pretty destructive, thus squirrel repellant is necessary. They wreak havoc on your vegetable garden by eating the seeds you throw out for the birds.
There are numerous squirrel repellents on the market, but many of them are ineffective and even hazardous.
So…
If you don’t want to use live traps or shoot squirrels, and want to find a more natural way to repel them.
Read on to see which of our recommended squirrel repellents you want to use.
It is natural, safe for your family and pets, and effective.
But first.
Table of Contents
Why are squirrels attracted to my yard?
There’s a reason squirrels congregate near your home. The things that attract squirrels to your property are listed below.
Vegetation Dense
Squirrels will most likely be seen running in and out of your hedges and shrubs if you have many. Squirrels dislike open spaces because they are afraid of being eaten by a hawk.
This is why they prefer dense vegetation or other areas surrounding your home that give concealment.
To help prevent this, keep your hedges and bushes in good condition. After all, a squirrel isn’t the only pest that will appreciate a haven in your yard!
Not only can maintaining your bushes assist in preventing pests, but it is also an important element of yard upkeep.
Water & Food
Perhaps you want birds to visit your property, so you set up bird feeders and a bird bath. While the birds will undoubtedly enjoy it, so will the squirrels.
A squirrel will go to great lengths to reach the food in a bird feeder. Most of the time, it’s incredibly entertaining and results in some hilarious videos.
These food and water options in your yard are, without a doubt, one of the reasons squirrels keep returning. If you do leave food and drink out for other animals or birds, try to keep it in a location that only they can access.
Alternatively, use squirrel-proof bird feeders.
Trees
Squirrels are drawn to trees, particularly those that provide nuts and fruit.
If you have trees in your yard, especially large, acorn-filled ones with many branches, you’ve probably seen squirrels in them. There are probably even small areas of ground where they attempted to bury their discoveries!
Unfortunately, there is no foolproof method for keeping squirrels or other wildlife out of your trees. There are, however, a few tactics you can try to discourage them.
Nesting squirrels in your trees aren’t always a terrible thing unless the trees are too close to your house. If the branches are close to or touching your property, squirrels may use them to climb around on your roof or, worse, get access to your attic.
The dangers of having squirrels in your yard
These little rodents may do more harm than you think, which is why keeping squirrels away from your home and yard should be a top priority.
Stressing the trees
Squirrels will not only gnaw on the bark of your trees, but they will also consume the fruits and buds. When done in excess, this can cause stress in your trees, resulting in damage and, in extreme cases, death.
Unfortunately, younger trees and saplings will not develop if their bark is removed.
Plant devastation
After stealing the fruits or nuts from your trees, a squirrel will try to bury them across your yard. This will not only destroy the appearance of your grass, but it will also endanger any plants or flowers trying to develop.
If squirrels get into your garden, they may uproot and consume the roots of your plants or flowers.
Theft of food
Squirrels, as previously stated, will steal whatever form of food they can locate. While this isn’t good for your grass, it’s a bigger problem for commercial farms.
Squirrels can steal and eat through the majority of the fruit on a commercial farm. This can be highly damaging to crops and have a severe influence on farm productivity.
Destroy your home
Squirrels, like any other rodent, like chewing. If given a chance, their tiny teeth can cause significant damage to your home.
They can gnaw through wires, causing fires and destroying the insulation in your attic. Worse, once squirrels enter your home, they can start nesting and increasing swiftly.
Diseases
Aside from invading your home, these pests are dangerous due to the variety of diseases they transmit. They can infect people with typhus, tularemia, plague, and ringworm.
Squirrels have a relatively limited lifespan, largely owing to diseases, as well as their poor decision-making abilities when crossing the road.
If you, your family members, or your domestic pets develop one of these diseases, the consequences could be disastrous for your health!
Please remember that if you find a squirrel in your home, you should always see a professional. Squirrels are fast and can strike out if they are caught or cornered.
Never attempt to capture or remove a wild animal by yourself!
If you don’t mind any of those, and if you prefer to feed squirrels in your backyard, read this.
How to remove squirrels with natural remedies
Natural predators
You may already have a natural predator if you have a dog or a cat. They may not always capture and devour squirrels, but most dogs and cats will at least chase them.
Though it is uncommon, keep a check on your pet’s stools and behavior to ensure that they do not become ill as a result of eating the squirrels.
Squirrels are also eaten by owls, who are predators. You can attract them by building or purchasing an owl box. To make the box more appealing, fill it with pine needles or wood shavings.
If you have a lot of squirrels or a rodent problem, owls will be drawn to your garden. When considering positioning, remember that owls regurgitate food and have droppings.
Squirrels will be repelled by the excretion of their natural predators. Squirrels despise these odors because they indicate the presence of a predator.
It acts as a natural squirrel deterrent.
Pour fox urine about your garden as a deterrent. You can also hang it in your attic; however, essential oils are a better option for home use.
Natural cat litter can also be used to fertilize your plants.
What smells do squirrels hate?
Squirrels dislike pungent odors, such as:
- Garlic
- Onions
- Peppermint
- Cinnamon
- Lemongrass
- Clove
You may use these to make repellent sprays. You can use the same approach for the garlic and onion as you would for the pepper spray.
Add 10-20 drops of essential oil to water in a spray bottle, depending on size, with the other herbs and spices (essential oil). A teaspoon of Castile soap can also be added.
Tip: Another option to employ these repellent scents is to soak cotton balls in the essential oil and distribute them throughout your garden, and other locations squirrels like to hide, such as the attic.
Spray with apple cider vinegar
The squirrels are put off by the strong odor of pure apple cider vinegar. ACV is widely available and can be sprayed directly on plants and flower pots without harm.
Spray it as often as necessary to keep the critters at bay.
Hot pepper
Hot peppers work quite well. You can use dried ground peppers or flakes to sprinkle around your plants, or you can manufacture your pepper spray.
You can use dried flakes or powder, or you can chop up some fresh chilies or hot peppers and combine them with hot water. Allow it to cool before transferring it to a spray bottle.
You may also season your pepper spray with crushed garlic, oil, or Castile soap.
Tip: If you see any cracks in your walls, you can put the spray or even some hot sauce on the crack to keep the squirrels away until you can repair it. Cayenne pepper or paprika can be mixed into your bird seed.
This does not damage the birds, but it does dissuade squirrels.
Spray with jalapeno pepper and vinegar
The squirrels are irritated by the jalapeno pepper. When combined with vinegar, it gives a strong odor that they loathe.
Combine jalapeño pepper and vinegar to make a spray solution. Spray it in your attic to prevent them from getting in.
Safflower seeds
If the squirrels are destroying the bird feeder, try mixing the seeds with safflower seeds. The bitter flavor of the seed will annoy the birds but annoy the squirrels, keeping them away naturally.
Fox pee
Foxes are natural predators of squirrels, and small mammals will always avoid areas frequented by a fox.
If you obtain fox urine in an internet store or at the zoo, you can use it to keep squirrels out of your yard and house.
To repel squirrels, fill a spray bottle with fox urine and spray it in the attic and near the plant beds.
Which bulbs should I plant?
- Daffodils, fritillaria, snowdrops (Galanthus), grape hyacinths (Muscari), and decorative alliums are plants that squirrels (and other rodents) dislike. Because of their disagreeable taste and fragrant odor, these flowers are also hated by rabbits and deer. These blooms can also be used in pots, planters, and containers. Take a look at our list of rodent-proof bulbs.
- Simply line the planting hole with wire mesh (“hardware cloth”) for added protection. Some gardeners have discovered that burying the bulbs in a handful of sharp, broken rock deters squirrels. This could also aid in better drainage.
- When planting many bulbs, gardeners use chicken wire to protect the soil. Locate one-inch mesh and lay it beneath and on top of the bulbs. Plants can grow through the wires, but squirrels cannot reach the bulbs.
- Cover the bed’s surface with black plastic netting, which is both undetectable and affordable, to offer an extra layer of protection.
- Leave papery bits of bulb detritus in or on the soil to announce your freshly excavated bulbs. Clean up your act, or better yet, avoid leaving your bulbs on the ground when digging holes for them—squirrels will scent their favorite and run over.
- Peppermint. The pungent odor of mint deters squirrels from invading your yard or home. Set up a few pots with fresh mint plants to naturally repel them.
Use of human hair
Collect human or dog hair (if you have any) and place it in areas frequented by squirrels. This will frighten them because they will believe there is a human around, causing them to flee your location.
Human hair can also be obtained from a neighboring salon. Put them in a bird feeder and at the base of plants to keep them from causing damage.
Use mothballs to repel them.
Squirrels can be irritated by mothballs. They are put off by the strong, pungent smell of the mothballs.
Simply scatter a few balls across your home in places where you notice them. Remember that the attic is the most likely spot for them to live and reproduce.
Aspirin and peanut butter trap
Squirrels enjoy peanut butter, but when combined with aspirin, it can be used to repel them. Aspirin tablets should be crushed and mixed with peanut butter.
Spread this thick paste in your attic and around your garden pots. The squirrel is poisoned by the aspirin.
Garden and Landscape tips to get rid of squirrels
Maintain a clean yard
It is critical to keep your yard clean not only to keep squirrels away but also to prevent the invasion of other pests and dangerous animals such as snakes.
Remove any fallen nuts and fruits that squirrels enjoy eating.
Regular cleaning keeps pests at bay while also improving the appearance of your garden.
Mulching
Consider adding quality mulch to the soil if squirrels dig up the planted bulbs. Mulch is unappealing to squirrels, therefore, they avoid it.
If the problem persists, place some decorative stones that are difficult for them to remove or just use a heavy-weight mulch.
Build a greenhouse instead
If you enjoy growing a lot of vegetables that get damaged by squirrels, consider building a separate greenhouse that keeps squirrels out.
Make certain that the greenhouse is always locked. It will also keep other pests and birds away from your plants.
Use gravel
Consider placing gravel if squirrels are digging up the dirt near the plants. Digging will be tough and discouraging as a result of this.
Plant bulbs that squirrels dislike, such as daffodils, alliums, and snowdrops. Daffodils are toxic to them and will cause no harm to them.
Keep trash sealed at all times.
Squirrels may be drawn to your home searching for leftover food in the garbage can. Keeping the garbage can closed will keep squirrels and other pests away.
Build a fence
Building a fence will keep the squirrels away for a long period. You can use netting to protect your plants from them, or you can build a fence around the entire plant bed to keep them out.
Squirrels will dig through the soil if the fence is not 8-12 inches below the ground.
How to identify if squirrels are damaging your garden
- Have you eaten any spring bulbs? Most likely, you’re dealing with squirrels, chipmunks, or groundhogs. Squirrels enjoy digging up spring bulbs during their autumn foraging, both to consume the bulbs and to store their foraged nuts.
- Squirrels can also be identified by missing or damaged crops in the garden. Squirrels will frequently take maturing fruits and vegetables to dine on, especially soft and juicy produce like squash, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and melons. Surprisingly, they rarely eat the full item!
- If you’re planting flowers or veggies in containers, you could see someone rummaging about in the soil. Squirrels and chipmunks have been observed searching for insects or other delights in pots and may uproot plants in the process.
- Squirrels will not only destroy your gardens but also your bird feeders. If your bird food is gone quickly, you may have a squirrel problem.
