How do I get rid of squirrels legally?

Author: Jordi Hermann  |  Last update: Sunday, September 28, 2025

In most places across the United States, it is perfectly legal to trap a squirrel using snap traps or similar — traps that are designed to kill the animal on impact. These work in much the same way as rat and mouse traps do for rodents, keeping the problem relatively contained.

How do I permanently get rid of squirrels?

Tips to help keep squirrels away from your yard
  1. Don't feed them. If you feed them, they will come. ...
  2. Remove what attracts them. Regularly rake your yard to remove fallen fruit, nuts, and seeds, and use garbage cans with secure lids to deter squirrels.
  3. Spray them. ...
  4. Exclude them. ...
  5. Repel them. ...
  6. Plant flowers squirrels hate.

What do squirrels hate the most?

Now that we know more about them, we'll discuss the scents they hate! The scents on this list are: Peppermint Oil, Capsaicin, Coffee Grounds, White Vinegar, Garlic, Cinnamon, Predator Urine, Irish Springs Soap, Dryer Sheets, and Rosemary.

How long do coffee grounds keep squirrels away?

Coffee grounds will keep squirrels away from your garden because they do not like the smell. Simply sprinkle some fresh grounds on the soil surrounding your plants every two weeks. You can also try spraying your plants with a hot pepper spray for the same effect.

Does pine sol get rid of squirrels?

Some of the other common rodents include squirrels, hamsters, gophers, and others. Does Pine Sol deter rodents? As will most cleaners, Pine-Sol contains properties that may deter rodents and other types of pests; however, this is not a viable solution as a pest control measure.

How to Get Rid of Squirrels – Fast & Easy!

What is the best product to get rid of squirrels?

Use Strong Odors. 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.

Will spraying vinegar keep squirrels away?

The pungent smell of pure apple cider vinegar repels the squirrels. ACV is readily available and can be sprayed directly on the plants and flower pots without harming them. Spray it as often as needed to keep the little creatures at bay.

What is the best homemade squirrel repellent?

There are several effective homemade squirrel repellents. One popular option is to create a strong-smelling mixture using vinegar, ammonia, or essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, or citrus. Soak cotton balls in these scents and place them in areas where squirrels are active or use them to block entry points.

Does Irish Spring keep squirrels away?

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.

How do you get rid of ground squirrels fast?

For best control, use burrow fumigation about 2 to 3 weeks after the first ground squirrels emerge from hibernation. Because ground squirrels feed almost exclusively on green vegetation early in the season, poisoned grain baits are generally not effective until late spring or early summer.

What is a squirrel's worst enemy?

In North America, snakes, raccoons (Procyon lotor), red foxes, grey foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), bobcats (Lynx rufus) and coyotes (Canis latrans) will take Grey squirrels.

What do squirrels hate walking on?

Adhesive materials: Polybutenes. Polybutenes create a sticky lubricant that can deter squirrels from scaling railings and buildings. As they walk across the material, their feet may become stuck, which could cause so much irritation that they don't return.

What food is poisonous to squirrels?

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.

What can I put down to stop squirrels?

Turn up their noses.

Squirrels are offended by many of the same scents as deer, so repellents like Plantskydd Deer Repellent work well. You can also try a thin layer of coffee grounds or tucking a small amount of dog hair around and under plants.

Are squirrels hard to get rid of?

Once squirrels show up, they're very difficult to get rid of. The Eastern gray squirrel can run up to 20 miles per hour. All squirrels are quick on their feet, making them difficult to trap and remove. Squirrels have rodent teeth, including large incisors (front teeth) that grow from birth until death.

Do fake owls keep squirrels away?

While fake owls can temporarily deter squirrels, they are not foolproof solutions for long-term pest control.

What scares squirrels the most?

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.

Do coffee grounds repel squirrels?

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.

How do farmers keep squirrels away?

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.

How do I get rid of squirrels permanently?

How To Get Rid Of Squirrels In The Yard
  1. Place ultrasonic devices in your yard. These emit high-frequency sounds that are unpleasant to squirrels but inaudible to humans.
  2. Install motion-activated sprinklers to startle and deter squirrels when they enter your yard.
  3. Live traps can be used to catch and relocate squirrels.

Do dryer sheets repel squirrels?

According to Precision Pest & Wildlife Removal, squirrels dislike strong scents, including natural and synthetic fragrances. Because dryer sheets have a high amount of strong fragrance, they could be effective for keeping squirrels away from your yard.

Does Vicks Vapor Rub repel squirrels?

If you're tired of squirrels breaking into your bird feeders and stealing all the bird food, try using some Vicks VapoRub to alleviate your woes. Squirrels are repelled by the scent of the ointment, so spreading it around the area where you have the feeder may deter the squirrels.

Do moth balls keep squirrels away?

Outdoors. Mothballs are occasionally thrown in gardens and lawns to keep away pets and other animals. However, mothballs are ineffective in repelling wildlife in outdoor areas such as rats, mice, squirrels, bats, snakes, or other wildlife.

Do squirrels hate WD 40?

Many people use products such as Vaseline, WB-40, axle grease or another greasy or oily products, with the idea that this provides a slippery barrier that the squirrel can't get past. At least initially, the animal slides down the pole while trying. It may be effective and funny to watch, but please, do NOT do this.

How does aluminum foil repel squirrels?

Aluminum foil reflects light, which can confuse or startle squirrels at first. Squirrels are known for their ability to jump up to ten times their body length, undermining physical barriers. They can weigh between 1 to 3 pounds, making them agile enough to maneuver around many deterrents.

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