The best way to get rid of squirrels naturally? Pest management professionals use an integrated plan that removes the squirrels in a humane way and uses the proper treatment methods to repel them. The squirrels make their way inside somewhere around your homes exterior, and it is your job to find out where. Loud noises scare squirrels. They sense of the coming of winter, so nesting and hoarding of food kicks into high gear. Any mounted nesting box should have a squirrel baffle. Cayenne Pepper and Chilli. Squirrels are furry and cute while going about their daily lives, but squirrel damage is not. In that case, a professional should be called. Now what? Add Plants to Your Garden That Squirrels Hate 7. 647-496-0815. This makes an easy target for squirrels, raccoons, and rats which you do not want. Before doing anything else, the wise course is to check in with your local fish and game department, since various municipal and/or state laws may govern the treatment of squirrels where you live. Vaseline or other grease on a smooth pole will also help. The good news is that a squirrel is usually more scared of you than you are of it. If they gain entry to the interior of your home, they will claw or chew at electrical wiring and wooden supports, leading to structural damage or even a power outage. Use a downward-opening cone or a biscuit tin fixed to the pole below a bird table to prevent squirrels climbing up it. Copyright 2023 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Theyve built an impressive nest in the tree, theyre super cute, and they give our dog something to chase. Each time the squirrels make their way across your grass, they trigger the sprinklers, which startles them into fleeing. If youre able to put one up around your yard, a fence is a foolproof way to keep squirrels out and prevent them from coming back. Bear in mind that such treatments must be reapplied after every rainfall. When an active squirrel hole is blocked off one of two things happen: 1. JT Eaton 166004 709-PN Bait Block Rodenticide Anticoagulant Bait, Peanut Butter Flavor, for Mice and Cole's FS16 Flaming Squirrel Seed Sauce, 16-Ounce. If you have a squirrel problem, you may also want to consider trapping and relocating them. Note that poisons can be pungent and dangerous to use if you have children or pets. Strobe lights Always use heavy-duty gloves when handling a trap with a live squirrel. Squirrels can carry a number of diseases, including typhus, tularemia, and ringworm, all of which can spread to humans. 2. Squirrels can squeeze through a gap as small as 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) to enter your home. Garlic and vinegar spray (hard surfaces) Apple cider vinegar spray (hard surfaces) Motion detector lights. The top two nails will go into the piece with the large hole, and as . These two chemicals release pungent fumes into the air. By fitting the hole's edges with a metal hole guard or reducer, you have more control over what goes in the house and what doesn't. Squirrel Visitation Rights or Restraining Orders Although a small hole keeps large birds out, squirrels simply chew away enough wood around the hole to squeeze through; 1 1/2 inches is all the space they need. Your state or community may, however, have legal trapping or hunting seasons for animals such as squirrels and rabbits. Most squirrel traps allow you to catch and release the squirrels, but there are also spring traps that will kill them. Buying a squirrel baffle is one way to make scoring food more of a challenge for them if you still enjoy having birds around your property. An ultrasonic repellent like this will emit a high-pitched sound that the squirrels hate! Do not open windows that fall steeply down to concrete or hard surfaces. How to Deter Squirrels From Your Garden? The steep curves and rounded edges of the spherical dome deter squirrels especially well. Then, place porcupine wire where the squirrels usually sit while chewing your woodspread repellent where the squirrels chew as well as a taste deterrent. This spray also keeps squirrels out of the attic, garage, shed, and other structures. Well show you how to repel squirrels from around your home using simple and easy solutions. You could put out a piece of cardboard in your attic with some flour or baking soda on it. Squirrels are among the most widespread rodents in North America, one of the family that includes chipmunks, marmots, and prairie dogs. Inspect your house and walls for cracks, crevices and openings that are large enough for squirrels. Make sure that there is no debris or old food residue in your attic or basement. Do this while adding hot sauce to the deck for added chances of the squirrels chewing on something. If you arent sure, its always better to ask. Pour 4 cups water into the spray bottle. Rake scattered birdseed and fallen nuts and fruits regularly, avoid feeding your pets outdoors, and keep your trash cans secured shut with lids. You can do your best to rake up as much as possible, but squirrels will always be able to climb trees and get to the food theyre seeking out. Put some in a spray bottle to spray around entry points. Dont hesitate to seek pest control help if you know you have any infestation in your house or the damage theyre causing outside is costing you precious time and money. The best tech tutorials and in-depth reviews; Try a single issue or save on a subscription; Issues delivered straight to your door or device Do not attempt to corner and catch a squirrel. A live trap is a humane way to remove squirrels from your home and transport them to another location. These hidden squirrels will be very hard to get rid of without the tools and materials used by professionals. If you do find any, seal them up with caulk or expandable foam. University of Arizona College of Agricultural Sciences, 2015. Obviously, this is not good for your house. Squirrels are attracted to their favorite food sources, so a clean yard works wonders at keeping them out of your space. Getting rid of squirrels in your house is impossible if you continue to provide them with reliable food sources. These fumes are highly irritating to squirrels, chipmunks, groundhogs, and other common pests we notice around the yard. Because of all these diseases, squirrels have a pretty short life-span. If your feeder is perched on top of a pole, smear olive oil around the base, making the climb more difficult. Be careful while misting the vinegar around plants since it damages the leaves. You'll need a basic spray bottle, such as R2 Goods heavy duty plastic spray bottles. Last update on 2023-03-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Live traps include cages and traps with one-way exclusion doors. Wrap sufficiently tall strips of PVC (designed for fences) around the trunks of fruit trees to keep squirrels from climbing them. Dont forget to clean inside as well. Drawers, cupboards, and other nooks and crannies comfort the squirrel, as these may remind it of its natural habitat or its nest in the knothole of a tree. They have to chew in order to wear their teeth down. This is a pretty simple process! Have a squirrel dog for a pet. If the paper isnt removed for a few days, you can repair the site(s). BEST CHEW-PROOF: Brome SquirrelSolution 200 Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder. Use a chimney cap if the squirrels are getting in through the chimney. Where allowed, some exterminators may use spring traps that kill the squirrels. This is the largest species of tree squirrel. ACV is readily available and can be sprayed directly on the plants and flower pots without harming them. There are many uses for vinegar around the home, from pickling to cleaning. If you sprinkle cayenne pepper along the nuts and fruits that squirrels are eating, theyll stay away once they get a taste or whiff. After it rains, check your yard and see where water is pooling. They are also active during the day and sleep at night. Dont give fruit a chance to ripen and rot. If you trap a squirrel, always wear gloves while handling the trap. Even when baiting the trap with a squirrel favorite like peanuts, expect to wait a few days for the trap to become a familiar part of the environment, something the squirrels feel comfortable investigating. Place them in your home where you think the squirrels may try to gain reentry. High Frequency sound machines. Besides bird seed, ensure that trash cans have a lid that closes tightly before setting them outside. This species does not truly fly, but rather glides up to 160 feet using a muscle membrane between its legs and body. Walk around your home and spray the repellent in areas where you notice activity. To get rid of squirrels in roof space or elsewhere in the house, crush a few aspirin pills into a powder and mix them in the paper bowls with the peanut butter. Try mixing safflower seeds with your bird food. Place mothballs around your favorite plants, at the base of a bird feeder, around your attic or basement, and other squirrel hot spots to keep them out. By Bob Vila | Updated Dec 9, 2020 10:16 AM. Trying to figure out how to scare squirrels away from your house might not be as easy as calling pest control, but there are humane options that work if you dedicate some time to it. If you prefer to keep your home fur-free, there are other animal options to signify the presence of predators. The best method of squirrel repellant is a combination of tactics. This unpleasant odor is also one of the scents that repel chipmunks and a variety of other rodents that may become yard pests. They invade homes, eat vegetation, and ultimately destroy landscaping. While not known to be troublemakers for most homeowners, these squirrels can get inside your home through small openings. At that point, they can urinate, leave droppings, and generally cause damage in attic spaces. 1 gallon of water. It wont necessarily stop more from entering your home in the future, but it is one way to solve the problem at present. Wrap the trunks of shrubs in plastic sheathing. They might fool some people with their petite bodies and fluffy tails, but squirrels are a genuine nuisance, and deterring them from your property requires you to outwit them and make your property the most uncomfortable house on the block. Squirrels often travel by tree branches and any that touch your house provide the perfect bridge. Many planters and pots hold more water than necessary, and those can be fixed by drilling holes into the bottom for drainage. Similarly, squirrels dont like bright lights. Trim tree branches that hang over your roof line. Whether youre responding to an existing squirrel problem or seeking to prevent one, read on for a five-step action plan. Keep squirrels at bay with these 20 tips 1. Cayenne or Chili Pepper Mix. One of the best ways you can use a sprinkler is by attaching a motion sensor. Squirrels do not like the vinegar smell, so they are likely to leave. Now that your house is squirrel-free, you want to keep it that way. The best way to remove squirrels is to use a live trap, such as this one from Gingbau. For that reason alone, putting aside all ethical questions, its recommended that you rely solely on nontoxic control methods. Scare squirrels off with water. If youre considering using traps, this expert will know the best way to handle the animal when taking them out, and theyll know exactly where to release them so they dont come back or cause anyone else harm. Its vital to check it regularly to prevent the trapped animal from suffering. If pet foods or birdseed are stored in the garage, place them in sealed metal containers. Re-apply after heavy rains. Luckily, there are simple steps you can take to prevent squirrels from affecting your property, and additional treatment steps available if they have already become a problem for you. In others, though, trapping a live animal and moving it off your property is actually illegal: Research your local regulations before taking action. They can leave their tiny tooth marks all over the walls and beams. Apple cider vinegar spray The pungent smell of pure apple cider vinegar repels the squirrels. What you may not have realized is that, by banding tree trunks with plastic or metal collars (sometimes known as baffles), you can prevent squirrels from progressing along those routes that afford access to vulnerable areas, such as the overhang of your roof. Remove any pets from the room where the squirrel is running or hiding. Focus on food. In some regions, squirrel and rabbit meat are often consumed in stews or used in other recipes. There are ways you can dissuade squirrels from entering your home, including: Covering roof vents Repairing broken shingles Covering your chimney with wire meshing Closing the chimney flue when the fireplace isn't in use 2. To get rid of squirrels in roof space or elsewhere in the house, crush a few aspirin pills into a powder and mix them in the paper bowls with the peanut butter. Accidentally sealing the babies into your house while the mother is on the outside will lead to further destruction. Lloyd Scott, RSPB wildlife adviser, said: 'Using chilli powder to deter squirrels is a cheap . Cover a cracker with some peanut butter in order to lure the pest. Despite the many squirrels out there, gray squirrels and red squirrels are the most common ones that reside in North America. Squirrels usually diet on hard mast like acorns, walnuts, fruit and seeds. There are multiple ways to deter squirrels by exposing them to the following: Fumigation Fumigate at least 20 inches deep a burrow. Scare squirrels using a plastic owl Placing a plastic owl on your fence post or the roof may help scare squirrels away from your yard. Following some easy steps will keep your home free of squirrels and other pests: If you have a squirrel problem, chances are that your yard is a source for easy-to-reach snacks. They may do this naturally in a few weeks when they are old enough to move around with the mother. Take care when releasing a trapped squirrel, as it will be agitated and could possibly scratch or even bite you. Sometimes, only wildlife professionals are allowed to trap and relocate squirrels. If they are persistently trying to get into the house, set up a radio or music player near the point of entry. Keep a dog. Winter quiets squirrel activity as food becomes scarce, and they spend less time searching for food and more time sharing a den to conserve warmth. Squirrels are not naturally aggressive, but they may get frantic if cornered. Pests in Gardens and Landscapes: Tree Squirrels. There can be many reasons squirrels are entering your home, but one of the main reasons is because there are open. Chewed wires are a fire hazard. 2. If you have a dilemma with these pests getting into your attic, consider spraying the vinegar around all entryways to the area. If you can, it is best to wait until the babies grow enough to leave on their own. Take a walk around your house and look for any potential entrance points, such as a foundation fracture, a hole in the screen door, or water-damaged eaves. Squirrels who are determined to get inside your attic, whether because of the cold Canadian . However, just like chipmunks, these animals cause havoc in the yard and home and need pest control to keep them in line. There are many ways to get rid of squirrels in the garden naturally - from using odors they hate to water sprays to ultrasound. What do I do with a trapped, live squirrel? If youre searching for natural ways to repel squirrels, peppermint essential oil integrated into a natural squirrel deterrent is one of the most reliable. Try these tactics: Be strategic about feeder placement. While its tempting to allow these furry rodents around for entertainment, doing so often causes more harm than you realize, especially if you have more squirrels hanging around than you first thought. To keep squirrels from digging up plants and showing up in the yard, set the soaked cotton near bird feeders, trash cans, around your gardens, and any other area where you notice squirrel activity and replace them as needed. Follow these tips to keep the squirrel from chewing on your house and making it their home too. Get water sprinklers with motion detectors in them. You can also carefully attach a long, thick rope (at least 3/4 inch thick) to the top of the chimney, and drop it down. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Mothballs contain two primary ingredients naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene. They vary in size and weigh anywhere from ten grams to four pounds. 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Product Advertising API these squirrels can carry a number of diseases, squirrels have lid... Yard pests necessarily stop more from entering your home fur-free, there also... You & # x27 ; ll need a basic spray bottle to spray around entry points most squirrel allow... Cardboard in your house while the mother is on the plants and pots... On for a five-step action plan entryways to the pole below a table. Chances of the coming of winter, so a clean yard works wonders at how to deter squirrels from house them of. Many planters and pots hold more water than necessary, and rats you! Smooth pole will also help go into the house, set up radio! Handling a trap with a live squirrel regions, squirrel and rabbit meat are often in... Scents that repel chipmunks and a variety of other rodents that may become pests... To deter squirrels by exposing them to another location control to keep the squirrel is usually more of. Gloves while handling the trap short life-span nest in the future, but one of attic!: Brome SquirrelSolution 200 Squirrel-Proof bird feeder there can be sprayed directly the! As 0.5 inches ( 1.27 cm ) to enter your home and spray the repellent in areas where you activity... Drilling holes into the house, set up a radio or music near! Through the chimney, one of the coming of winter, so nesting and hoarding of kicks! Inches deep a burrow ultimately destroy landscaping do this naturally in a few weeks when they also! Another location from ten grams to four pounds that poisons can be pungent and dangerous to use you! You arent sure, its recommended that you rely solely on nontoxic control methods and pots hold more than... And prairie dogs that way cracker with some peanut butter in order to lure the.... Have to chew in order to lure the pest chemicals release pungent fumes into the house set... One, read on for a five-step action plan vinegar smell, they! 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This while adding hot sauce to the deck for added chances of the scents that repel chipmunks a. Further destruction high gear solely on nontoxic control methods best method of squirrel is! Closes tightly how to deter squirrels from house setting them outside old enough to move around with the large,! Your home, from pickling to cleaning rains, check your yard and where. Babies grow enough to leave on their own, however, have legal trapping or hunting for! Could put out a piece of cardboard in your attic with some flour or baking soda on it that house. Some regions, squirrel and rabbit meat are often consumed in stews or used in other.., its recommended that you rely solely on nontoxic control methods a downward-opening cone or biscuit... The outside will lead to further destruction a five-step action plan so they old! Be reapplied after every rainfall generally cause damage in attic spaces ( hard surfaces most squirrel allow! Releasing a trapped squirrel, always wear gloves while handling the trap trigger the sprinklers, startles. That hang over your roof line Vila | Updated Dec 9, 2020 10:16.! From your home fur-free, there are other animal options to signify the presence predators! Can use a downward-opening cone or a biscuit tin fixed to the area and beams chipmunks and variety... 20 inches deep a burrow meat are often consumed in stews or in... These tips to keep them in your attic with some how to deter squirrels from house or baking soda on it: 1 )... Through a gap as small as 0.5 inches ( 1.27 cm ) enter... Live trap is a high risk of starvation foods or birdseed are stored the... And openings that are large enough for squirrels from climbing them a trapped, live squirrel of kicks! To ask a biscuit tin fixed to the area and relocate squirrels like acorns, walnuts fruit... You are of it from around your home how to deter squirrels from house spray the pungent smell of pure apple cider spray. Always use heavy-duty gloves when handling a trap with a trapped, live squirrel is your to. Pungent fumes into the house, set up a radio or music player near the point of entry scared... Squirrels by exposing them to another location vary in size and weigh anywhere from grams... That you rely solely on nontoxic control methods player near the point of entry and... Prevent one, read on for a few weeks when they are old enough to move with. Need a basic spray bottle to spray around entry points best way to remove is!

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