Sasha CampbellIf you’re like most people, you probably love the outdoors and all the animals that come with it. But there’s one animal that you may not love so much, and that’s the squirrel.
They can be a nuisance when they enter your attic or raid your bird feeder.
If you’re looking for a natural squirrel repellent, this article covers several natural and humane ways to keep squirrels away.
Squirrel Damage
Having a garden means plenty of different creatures can wreak havoc on your hard work. One common garden nuisance in many areas is the squirrel.
Squirrels love to dig up tulip bulbs and nibble on other plants. While they may look cute, don’t be fooled! They can cause significant damage to your garden.
And as mentioned, squirrels can enter your attic and disturb everything down there. They can gnaw through wiring and insulation, and their sharp claws can even tear open attic vents [1].
How to Get Rid of Squirrels Naturally
Whether these rodents are entering your garden or home, keeping them away is essential. The methods below will help get rid of squirrels without harming them.
1. Remove Food Sources
Before doing anything else, remove squirrels’ food sources. Otherwise, you’ll just be playing a never-ending game with these critters.
So, what do squirrels like to eat? Their favorite foods include nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables.
Therefore, store all these things in a squirrel-proof container or keep them out of reach. Also, clean up fallen nuts, seeds, and fruit from the ground, as these can attract squirrels.
If there’s no food around, they’ll eventually go away.
2. Repellent Plants
Some gardeners report fewer squirrel problems around strongly scented plants such as marigolds, daffodils, hyacinths, mint, alliums, and catnip. However, effectiveness can vary depending on local squirrel populations and food availability.
3. Seal Cracks and Entryways
Sealing up cracks and entryways can also prevent squirrels from getting in. By doing this, there will be no easy entry point, helping keep them out of your home.
4. Ground Cinnamon
Some gardeners also use cinnamon as a natural deterrent because of its strong scent, although results can vary.
To give it a try, sprinkle some ground cinnamon around the places where you’ve seen squirrels.
5. Motion-Activated Sprinklers
Motion-activated sprinklers can also help deter squirrels.
You can buy them at most hardware or home improvement stores. They work by spraying water when squirrels or other animals approach, startling them and prompting them to leave the area.
6. Eliminate Standing Water
Reducing easy access to water may make your yard slightly less attractive to squirrels, especially during hot weather. They will drink from puddles, bird baths, and anything reachable that contains water.
So, if you want to make your yard less attractive to squirrels, be sure to empty containers with water that’s been sitting around.
7. Clean Your Attic
First, investigate how squirrels are getting into your home. Next, seal any holes or cracks they may be using to get into your attic.
Also, clean your attic. Cleaning will eliminate any food or shelter that may be attracting the squirrels.
8. Squirrel Traps
You can buy squirrel traps from a farm or garden supply store.
Bait the trap with various foods, such as corn, sunflower seeds, or even a piece of fruit. Once the trap catches the squirrel, you can release it in accordance with local wildlife regulations.
Note: Before relocating trapped squirrels, be sure to check local wildlife regulations. Relocation may be restricted in some areas, so it’s essential to know the rules.
9. Squirrel-Resistant Fence
Install a squirrel-resistant fence. This type of fence is typically made of mesh or wire and is tall enough to prevent squirrels from climbing over it.
You will find squirrel-resistant fences on the market that may help reduce squirrel activity in your yard.
10. Cayenne Pepper
This spice is known for its hot, fiery flavor and can also be used to repel squirrels. You can use it to make a homemade squirrel repellent spray.
All you need to do is combine one tablespoon of cayenne pepper powder with two quarts of water in a pot.
Next, bring it to a boil and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. Afterward, remove from the heat and strain through cheesecloth as it cools.
Use this spray to mist problem areas around the bird feeder, patio, porch, attic, and other areas.
11. Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders
Special squirrel-resistant bird feeders have clever designs. They use weight-sensitive mechanisms or cages. This way, they keep squirrels from reaching the seeds.
Pairing these feeders with squirrel baffles can further reduce squirrel activity around feeding stations.
12. Squirrel Baffles
Install baffles on poles and tree-mounted feeders. These dome-shaped or cone-shaped barriers make it difficult for squirrels to climb up to bird feeders.
13. Garlic Spray
You can make garlic spray at home with just a few ingredients. All that’s needed is garlic, water, and a few drops of dish soap.
Blend the garlic and water, add the dish soap, and mix well to make a natural squirrel repellent spray. Next, pour the concoction into a spray bottle and apply it to areas where you see squirrels.
They find the smell of garlic unpleasant, which may prevent them from returning.
Garlic spray is generally safer than many chemical repellents when used as directed. However, avoid spraying directly on pets or in areas where they often eat.
14. Coffee Grounds
Some gardeners find that the smell of coffee grounds helps discourage squirrels, although results may vary.
To give it a try, apply them to areas where you don’t want these pests.
Sprinkle them around the outdoor plants that they’re bothering. You can also add used coffee grounds to your potted plants.
15. Get a Dog
The presence of a dog can discourage squirrels from spending time in your yard. However, squirrels can often escape by climbing trees or fences.
16. Peppermint
Peppermint is also excellent for keeping certain insects and rodents away. You can use it to make a DIY squirrel deterrent spray.
Just combine about 12 drops of peppermint oil in one cup of water. Shake well and apply to areas where the pests love to visit.
Alternatively, you can purchase this combo repellent spray with peppermint and other botanical oils.
17. Fox Urine
Fox urine is commonly used as a predator-scent repellent for small mammals such as squirrels, chipmunks, and skunks. So applying it to problem areas outside can help keep these animals away.
Because foxes are natural predators of squirrels, the scent may help make an area feel less safe to them.
18. Human Hair
Some gardeners use human hair as a scent deterrent, but its effectiveness is inconsistent and may diminish after rain.
Once you have a good amount, head outside and start scattering it around the areas where you’ve seen the squirrels.
19. Ultrasonic Devices
Ultrasonic devices may provide temporary deterrence. However, squirrels can become accustomed to them over time.
They’re safe for humans and pets.
20. Safflower Seeds
Throw some safflower seeds in the feeder instead of other common bird seeds.
Many squirrels find safflower seeds less appealing than sunflower seeds. This preference may help reduce the number of visits to your bird feeders.
21. Apple Cider Vinegar
Some gardeners use apple cider vinegar as a natural squirrel deterrent because of its strong smell.
Mix one part ACV and three parts water in a spray bottle. Apply this DIY squirrel repellent to problem areas.
You could also soak a few old rags in raw apple cider vinegar and place them around the attic. The strong smell of vinegar may help discourage squirrels from spending time in the area.
22. Cover Trash Cans Tightly
Don’t forget to cover your trash cans tightly. That way, squirrels will not be able to get in.
23. Eliminate Overhanging Branches
Another squirrel-control method is to cut off any branches hanging over your house.
Doing so will make it harder for squirrels to get onto your roof and access your home, eventually leading them to find another place to live.
Takeaway
We all know that squirrels can be a nuisance, raiding our bird feeders and scurrying around the yard. They can also cause significant damage to gardens and even enter our homes.
However, as you can see in this blog post, there are many ways to help keep them away. One or more of the methods above may help keep squirrels away while allowing you to manage the problem humanely.
Squirrels like other rodents do come if they have the food source. Keep the place clean. Get rid of any garbage and keep the garbage can closed. Fencing is also an option. If nothing works then a professional pest control work will help.