Complete Gardening
If squirrels have taken over your yard, don’t fret! There are natural and effective ways to encourage these furry creatures to relocate.
These methods are humane and environmentally friendly, ensuring you maintain peace with nature while reclaiming your outdoor space.
Read on to discover 12 engaging and effective strategies to naturally deter squirrels from your yard.
1. Plant Squirrel-Repelling Flowers
Certain flowers like marigolds and hyacinths are known to repel squirrels due to their strong scents.
Planting these around your garden can act as a natural squirrel deterrent. Not only will your garden look beautiful, but it will also be less appealing to these critters.
2. Use Natural Squirrel Repellents
Natural repellents such as peppermint oil or vinegar can keep squirrels at bay. Simply mix these with water in a spray bottle and apply around affected areas.
The strong scents are offensive to squirrels but pleasant to humans.
3. Install Motion-Activated Sprinklers
Squirrels dislike surprise and water. Motion-activated sprinklers can startle them, encouraging them to find less surprising places to explore.
These devices are effective and offer a harmless way to keep squirrels away.
4. Introduce Predatory Scents
Introducing scents from natural predators like fox urine can make squirrels feel unsafe. These can be purchased from garden stores and sprinkled around the yard, sending squirrels packing without harm.
5. Remove Food Sources
Squirrels are often attracted to yards with abundant food sources. Regularly clean up fallen nuts, fruits, and bird seeds to make your yard less inviting to these hungry visitors.
6. Create a Squirrel-Free Feeder
Invest in squirrel-proof bird feeders to keep birds fed but not squirrels. These feeders are designed to be inaccessible to squirrels, thus reducing their food source and encouraging them to move elsewhere.
7. Use Mulch Wisely
Certain types of mulch, like cedar, can deter squirrels due to their strong smell. Spread cedar mulch around your plants to create an aromatic barrier that squirrels will avoid.
8. Encourage Natural Predators
Attracting natural predators such as owls or hawks can help control the squirrel population. Installing birdhouses or nesting boxes can encourage these predators to visit your yard.
9. Install Fencing
Installing fencing with fine mesh can prevent squirrels from entering. Ensure the fence is at least 12 inches deep into the ground to stop them from burrowing underneath.
10. Use Reflective Surfaces
Squirrels can be deterred by reflective surfaces like aluminum foil or reflective wind chimes. Place these around your yard to disturb and disorient squirrels with the reflected light.
11. Create Noise Barriers
Sudden noises can scare squirrels away. Set up a radio or speaker to play sounds intermittently, discouraging them from settling in your yard. This method is both simple and effective.
12. Grow Squirrel-Unfriendly Plants
Plants such as daffodils and snowdrops are unappealing to squirrels. Incorporating these into your garden design can naturally help to keep squirrels at bay while adding beauty to your landscape.