Your Complete Guide: How to Keep Squirrels Out of My Yard
Are you wondering ‘how can I keep squirrels out of my yard?’
They’re cute little creatures most of the time, but their love of fruit, vegetables, and colorful flowers makes them a terrible pest if not kept under control.
They pick unripe tomatoes, take a bite and toss them over their shoulder when they’re revealed to be sour. They harvest berries and other fruit like professional pickers, and they yank tulips and gardenia from window boxes.
It’s enough to drive you nuts.
We’re pest and wildlife control experts. In this handy guide, we’ll give you all the tips on how to keep squirrels out of your yard and how to tackle a squirrel problem.
How Can I Keep Squirrels Out of My Yard?
Do you have a lot of tall trees with cavities that shelter them from the weather?
Or a hole in the roof of your shed?
What about fruits, nuts, and seeds? Bird feeders might provide an ample supply of delicious treats. When you’ve identified the main attractions in your yard, you can begin to squirrel-proof them.
For example, did you know squirrel-proof bird feeders exist?
What Do Squirrels Eat?
Squirrels are the most active in the late summer and autumn seasons. It’s during this time of year that they stock up their pantry for the winter, which is a difficult time for them.
They don’t strictly hibernate, but they do rest and huddle together for warmth. So, they need to make sure they save enough supplies to get them through periods of snow and frost.
They have a very strong instinct for gathering foods and will collect nuts, bark, fruit, mushrooms, berries, dead bugs, pinecones, and acorns. They’re also happy to steal bird eggs and flower bulbs.
During this time, much like a teenaged vandal might tag a wall with graffiti, they also might playfully rip out some flowers they don’t want to eat, just for fun!
One tip to keep them away from your bird feeders is to add some cayenne or chili pepper to them. Birds can’t taste capsaicin so that they won’t mind. Some other less welcome critters might have an unexpected experience.
Squirrel Nest Habits
Usually, squirrels nest in tree cavities, which can be as high as 60 feet or more, the holes in trees offer a lot of advantages. They protect from weather fluctuations and access to food, but in gardens, without trees or with very young trees, a clever squirrel might find somewhere else.
It’s rare for squirrels to try to go into a human home because they don’t like the smell of humans (or other animals). But, there are some cases of adventurous squirrels befriending young humans and even becoming family pets.
Sometimes squirrels seek shelter in attics through holes in the roof, and those cases might become very attached to their dark, comfortable playground. Garages and outhouses such as garden sheds also are at risk.
Once a squirrel finds a safe space, they do communicate that to their friends and family, and it can lead to a long-term squirrel problem. They may not understand when you serve them an eviction notice.
Squirrel Repellent Options
One of the most common squirrel repellent options that work well is the urine of a predator. Commercial repellants mimic the odor of animals that are threatening to squirrels. They include Coyote and Red Fox urine.
Even dog urine can be repellent, so letting your friend’s dog visit for a few hours a week and frolic in your garden could be a repellent to squirrels.
Still wondering, ‘how do I not attract squirrels?’
Maybe your hairdresser can help. Some people have managed to successfully keep the critters out of their flower beds by digging human hair into the soil because they hate the smell.
Making a Pest Control Plan
If you’re facing a squirrel problem and wondering: ‘how can I keep squirrels out of my yard?’ We can help.
Here at NJ Pest Control, we’re the local experts in wildlife and pest control and can work with you to devise an appropriate treatment plan.
Contact us today if you have any questions or are concerned about your squirrel problem.
