How to Keep Squirrels Away From Your House Naturally

Natural Ways to Keep Squirrels Away from Your Home

Squirrels can be quite charming as they scamper around trees, but when they make their way into your attic, garden, or roof, they can become unwanted guests. Understanding how to keep squirrels away from your home naturally ensures a humane and eco-friendly approach while still maintaining control over these critters. Whether they’re chewing on pumpkins, raiding bird feeders, or nesting in your roof, we’ll guide you through natural ways to deter squirrels effectively and protect your property.

Understanding Squirrel Behavior and Attractants

Squirrels are naturally drawn to areas that provide shelter and an abundant food source. Before discussing how to keep squirrels away, it’s important to understand why they might be attracted to your home and yard in the first place.

Common Attractants for Squirrels:

Squirrels are opportunistic feeders, like most rodents. Many of the things that attract squirrels can easily be found outdoors, in rural, urban, and suburban areas. Vegetable gardens, flower beds, and fruiting bushes or trees are extremely attractive to these little critters. Squirrels love digging up bulbs, feasting on fruits, and snacking on seeds.

Another tasty treat that often lures squirrels towards our homes is bird seed and feeders. Birdseed, especially sunflower seeds, are irresistible to squirrels. They can be incredibly determined when it comes to raiding feeders. While their antics trying to get the food may be entertaining, it can become problematic over time. Many backyard birdwatchers have tried to solve this problem with limited success.

You’ll also want to watch out for seasonal food sources. Fallen acorns, pumpkins, and other seasonal decorations can offer food and harborage for squirrels.

Finally, remember that unprotected trash cans often attract squirrels and other pests. Whenever possible, choose hard-sided bins with fitted lids to reduce pest problems.

By recognizing these common attractants, you can tailor your approach to keeping squirrels away from your house and garden.

How to Keep Squirrels Away from the House

If you’re dealing with persistent squirrels around your home, these strategies may help you naturally discourage them from coming too close.

Homemade Repellents:

Squirrels are sensitive to strong smells and spicy flavors. Here are a few natural repellents that you can easily create at home:

• Cayenne Pepper or Hot Pepper Spray : Mix cayenne pepper with water and spray it around your yard or near squirrel entry points. Capsaicin, the active ingredient, irritates squirrels but won’t harm them.
• Peppermint Oil & Apple Cider Vinegar : Both of these have strong scents that squirrels dislike. You can soak cotton balls in either peppermint oil or vinegar and place them near trouble spots.

Physical Barriers:

• Wire Mesh & Fencing : Prevent squirrels from entering attics or roof spaces by covering potential entry points with wire mesh. This also works for gardens and flower beds. Trim tree branches that give squirrels easy access to your roof.
• Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders : Opt for feeders specifically designed to keep squirrels out. These often feature weight-sensitive mechanisms that close the seed ports when a squirrel lands on them.

Motion-Activated Devices:

Motion-activated sprinklers are effective for scaring away squirrels as they trigger a harmless burst of water when movement is detected.

Pet Deterrents:

If you have a dog or outdoor cat, they can be a natural deterrent to squirrels. Squirrels tend to avoid areas where they feel threatened by predators.

To further protect your home from unwanted squirrel guests, remember to secure your trash cans tightly and consider using squirrel-proof bird feeders. You can also prevent them from nesting in your attic by covering vents and sealing entry points. For more on attic-proofing, check out our Squirrels in the Attic article.

How to Keep Squirrels Away from Gardens and Flowers

Squirrels love gardens, especially vegetable patches, and flower beds. They often dig up bulbs and munch on your hard-earned crops. Here are some natural ways to protect your garden and keep squirrels away:

Garden Barriers:

• Chicken Wire & Hardware Cloth: These materials can be placed over bulbs and flower beds to keep squirrels from digging them up.
• Bird Netting: This can cover your plants without affecting their growth but will keep squirrels from snacking on them.

Plants that Repel Squirrels:

Certain flowers are known to deter squirrels naturally. Try planting:

• Daffodils
• Alliums
• Geraniums
• Marigolds
• Hyacinths

These plants have strong scents or flavors that squirrels tend to avoid.

Natural Deterrents:

You can also use natural predator decoys or sprinkle predator urine around the perimeter of your garden. These give squirrels the impression that a predator is nearby, causing them to steer clear.

For more garden protection tips, visit our Natural Tips to Protect Your Garden article.

Further Pest Prevention

Keeping squirrels away requires consistency. Repellents need to be reapplied, barriers checked regularly, and entry points secured. By following a multi-faceted approach, you can keep your home and garden squirrel-free without harming the environment or the wildlife around you.

By choosing natural methods, you’re protecting your home in a way that maintains harmony with nature—creating a win-win for you and the environment.

For more on EarthKind’s plant-based pest solutions, visit our shop