It’s fairly simple to find a recipe that uses ingredients you already have in your pantry and whip up a quick squirrel spray. You can use these in the same manner as the Exterminators Choice spray.ĭIY Spray Repellents. There are too many recipes for DIY squirrel repellent sprays to list them all here, but they all tend to have common ingredients: garlic, onion, red capsaicin pepper, jalapeno, peppermint and rosemary oils, oil soap, dish soap, and other known squirrel irritants. Pure Mint Sprays. There are a number of pure peppermint oil sprays on the market that effectively deter squirrels. You can also spray directly on bird feeders as the mix doesn’t deter birds and is non-harmful to them. You can use the spray liberally in attics, garages, basements, and sheds. Instead, spray it on the ground surrounding the plants or on barriers surrounding the plants. It’s not recommended that you spray the mix directly on your plants. The mix irritates squirrels and other rodents, particularly on the sensitive skin of their hands, feet, and bellies, preventing them from scratching, digging, and destroying plants, insulation, or wood in your home. The one downside of plant-based sprays, granules, and powders is that they aren’t as permanent as physical barriers and need frequent reapplication - often 2 to 3 times a week or after rain.Įxterminators Choice Rodent Defense Spray. This is a wonderful, non-toxic, all-natural spray repellent made from garlic, peppermint, and rosemary essential oils as well as white pepper. There are also many cost-effective DIY options. Homeowners tend to like these solutions because they’re affordable, convenient, and easy to apply. Natural, plant-based repellents work either by creating an unpleasant taste or by acting as an irritant to squirrels. Birds will eat the Crisco and rain will eventually wash it away. Squirrels are neat freaks that hate to get their hands dirty, and the slippery texture will make it more difficult to climb. Simply coat the base of your trees or shrubs, or the pole of your bird feeder, with some Crisco. Solid Shortening. A lot of homeowners swear by the Crisco trick. Seeing and smelling potential predators will keep the squirrel population in check. Trust me - they don’t love bark and leaves! Scattering some cheap cracked corn on the ground or installing a squirrel feeder away from your bird feeders or garden is a great way to lure them away from these areas.Ĭats and Dogs. If you have a dog or a cat in the house (and you have a fenced yard and/or a safe neighborhood), consider letting them out to play for a few hours a day. If they’re chewing up your trees and shrubs or attacking your bird feeders, it’s because there’s nothing better available. They’ll eat whatever is available, even if it’s not their favorite or isn’t that good for them. Tree collars should be at least 2 feet wide, and you should install them about 6 feet up the tree trunk.Īlternative Food Sources. Squirrels are the ultimate opportunistic feeders. Metal Sheeting. If squirrels are getting into your fruit or nut trees, or damaging any tree that you care about, a simple metal collar around the tree will discourage even the best climbers. Sprinklers. Installing motion-activated sprinklers around your garden (facing outward!) can be an excellent squirrel deterrent. Trim branches at least 5 to 6 feet away from your home so squirrels can’t leap onto your roof and place bird feeders at least 18 inches from the nearest accessible perch. Put up lightweight, close-gauge chicken wire or staple netting to a frame around raised bed gardens.ĭistance. One of the best ways to keep squirrels out of your bird feeder or your attic is to create enough distance. Physical deterrents tend to be more permanent and less invasive than other repelling methods, and for this reason they are often the first line of defense against unwanted squirrels.įencing or Netting. Most physical deterrents work by creating some kind of barrier between the squirrel and the object of its desire, though some work by providing a lure to another area, by scaring the squirrel away, or by frustrating attempts to climb. While many of these repellents work for a short period of time none of them are 100% effective. Generally speaking, there are four types of squirrel repellents:ĭifferent repellents work in different ways to keep squirrels away - some scare the squirrels by making them think there’s a predator nearby while others emit an unpleasant odor, taste, or sound. The goal of squirrel repellent is to protect your property without completely eliminating the pest. 6 Final Thoughts: How to Use Squirrel Repellents Effectively Types of Squirrel RepellentĪ repellent is anything that keeps squirrels away from a certain area (such as your yard, attic, garden, or bird feeder) without killing or harming the squirrel.
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