In late spring or summer, at locations where squirrels are moving from adjacent lands into the crop field to feed, baiting or trapping along the perimeter offers the most effective control if access to the neighboring property is not possible.
Scents like white pepper, black pepper, and garlic are naturally unpleasant to a squirrel. The same goes for sweet smells such as peppermint. Try spraying your plants and flowers with water and then sprinkling on pepper or peppermint oil to deter squirrels.
Remove/rake up food sources, such as nuts, berries, fruits, and acorns. Secure all trash cans with tight lids and bungee cords. It helps to rinse them out occasionally to remove the attracting odors. If you have a bird feeder, buy a squirrel proof feeder or equip it with a baffle.
By far the most popular natural deterrent of squirrels is capsaicin, which is the hot and spicy component found in chili peppers. You can sprinkle red pepper flakes inside a carved pumpkin, rub bottled hot sauce on the outside, or create your own spray.
White vinegar has a strong smell and is a powerful squirrel deterrent. The easiest way to treat a squirrel-infested area is to simply pour it on active squirrel hang-outs or spray it around your property with a mix of water.
Yes, some people use bleach to preserve pumpkins, especially jack-o'-lanterns. A diluted bleach solution can help prevent mold and slow down the rotting process. The bleach acts as a disinfectant, killing off bacteria and mold spores that cause decomposition.
Avocado skin and seed are toxic. Consumption can lead to breathing difficulties and heart-related issues. 3. Onions and Garlic: Onions and garlic, in any form, can be harmful to squirrels as they can cause damage to their red blood cells, leading to anemia.
Irish Spring soap is one of many homemade solutions people use to repel squirrels. While it may work for some, other homemade solutions, like cayenne pepper or vinegar sprays, can also be effective. However, like Irish Spring, these methods often provide only temporary relief.
The taste and smell of coffee is pleasing for many, but squirrels disagree. Coffee grounds are a natural repellent for squirrels, and they're easy to mix in with your soil. Instead of discarding your leftover coffee grounds, sprinkle them around the surface soil in your potted plant.
Squirrels don't like the feel of mulch under their feet. Gravel is particularly unpleasant for them. So a layer of this around plants you want to protect could be effective.
While fake owls can temporarily deter squirrels, they are not foolproof solutions for long-term pest control.
You can try using either cone baffles or metal tube baffles to protect your trees. If you use cone baffles, make sure they are at least 2 feet in diameter and the cone is installed so that it slopes downward.
Having a dog in your yard can help repel squirrels, as dogs are natural predators of squirrels. The presence of a dog in the yard can make squirrels feel threatened and discourage them from coming into the area.
Squirrels have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find food sources and shelter. You can repel squirrels using scents they hate such as, capsaicin, white vinegar, peppermint oil, coffee grounds, cinnamon, predator urine, garlic, dryer sheets, Irish Spring bar soap, and rosemary.
The biggest potential problem with feeding squirrels in your yard is that they will eventually lose their natural fear of humans. While it might sound appealing to make friends with your local squirrel population, it's important for wild animals to be wary of humans, both for their safety and our own.
Owls also pose a significant threat to squirrels, particularly at night. Great horned owls are adept hunters and can silently approach their prey under the cover of darkness. Their acute sense of hearing and exceptional night vision make them effective nocturnal predators.
The only true way to keep squirrels out of the garden is physical barriers. We use bird netting over hoops, which keeps squirrels out but still allows bees to pollinate.
Squirrels were protected in wildlife conservation and exotic pet laws. Today, it's illegal to keep a squirrel as a pet in many states. Animal experts believe this is a good thing, because squirrels are wild animals that, despite their cuteness, should remain in the wild.
Contact an Orkin Pro for wildlife management services to safely remove, repel, and exclude squirrels from your home. To learn how to control a squirrel infestation, contact your local Orkin branch.
Hairspray. Spray the entire pumpkin, inside and out with hairspray. This will hopefully keep the pumpkin lasting longer and deter animals from nibbling at it.
The vinegar kills fungus, making it hard for the pumpkin to rot.
🎃 PSA: Please don't use bleach to keep squirrels and wildlife away from your pumpkins! While it may seem effective, bleach can be harmful to our curious animal friends and the environment. Instead, a simple mix of vinegar and water will help protect your pumpkins without risking wildlife.