Living with Squirrels
Ten Tips for How to Get Rid of Squirrels in the Yard
Squirrels can be a nuisance in the yard
or garden by eating fruit, vegetables and birdseed and chewing tree bark.
Squirrels also have a way of making their way into your attic or crawlspaces
and setting up nests. Here’s how to get rid of squirrels in the yard and keep
them out of your home.
Don’t feed them. If you feed them, they will come. Any food found in your
yard is fair game for roaming creatures or those already calling your property
home. When you’re hanging bird feeders, scattering plant seeds or throwing
compostable food scraps into your garden, you create the opportunity for easy
meals. You should weigh your enjoyment of bird watching with the potential to
attract pests with uneaten birdseed.
Remove what attracts them. The sight and smell of fallen fruit, nuts and seeds lures
squirrels. Rake your yard regularly to remove these items from under bird
feeders and trees. Use garbage cans with tight-fitting lids to keep
squirrels out of your trash.
Scare them. A dog or cat may keep squirrels out of your yard,
particularly if your dog chases squirrels. If you don’t have a cat or dog, you
can place plastic owls around your property on elevated surfaces such as fence
posts or the roof to frighten squirrels away. You can also buy containers of
predator (wolf or tiger) urine to spray in your yard or garden. The scent
scares many animals, including squirrels, deer and rabbits. You need
to re-apply the solution after it rains.
Spray them. Motion-activated sprinkler systems may help keep squirrels
out of your yard.
Exclude them. Keep squirrels out of your yard by blocking their entry
points. Prevent squirrels from traveling along utility wires by putting
two-foot sections of lightweight two- to three-inch diameter plastic pipe
around non-electrical wires. Slit the pipe lengthwise, spread it open and place
it over the wire. The pipe will spin on the wire, causing tightrope-walking
squirrels to tumble to the ground.
Deter them. If you can’t keep ground squirrels out of your yard, you
can keep them away from your trees and plants using squirrel baffles. Put a
two-foot-wide metal collar around trees, at least six to eight feet off the
ground. You can also use squirrel baffles on poles that support your bird
feeders. Put fences or netting around your plants. Build a fence out of
one-inch mesh wire. The fence should be at least 30 inches high and extend six
inches below ground, with an additional six inches underground bent outward at
a 90-degree angle to discourage burrowing. An electric fence is a further
deterrent. Place at least two electrified fence strands about three
inches from an existing fence, one six inches above the ground and the other at
the fence height. Cut small pieces of plastic bird netting and wrap it around
ripening fruit. Use heavyweight mulch, stones or decorative rocks on the surface
of your soil to keep squirrels from digging in your flowerpots.
Repel them. Treat seeds, bulbs and flowers with a taste repellent such
as capsaicin or commercially available chemical repellent. Reapply these
substances after it rains. Don’t use repellents on vegetables or
fruit you’re planning to eat. Plant mint at the edge of your garden. Squirrels
avoid the smell of peppermint plants.
Plant flowers squirrels hate. Daffodils have a toxin that makes them
inedible. Squirrels don’t like the taste of snowdrops, allium or hyacinth,
so plant those spring bulbs as a deterrent.
Trap them. Catching squirrels with a live trap can rid your yard or
squirrels temporarily, but other squirrels often arrive to take their place. In
many states, squirrels are considered a game species and are protected by
law. Trapping may be illegal, so check with your state’s Department of Fish and
Wildlife.
Keep them out of your home. If you’re having problems with squirrels in your yard
or garden, it could be a symptom of a larger problem: squirrels in your home.
Walk around the exterior of your house looking for possible damage or breaches
in the eaves, exterior walls or roof. Holes could serve as a squirrel’s point
of entry and exit as they fetch food from your yard and take it back to their
nest. Be sure to promptly patch or repair any openings to give squirrels one
less option for entering.
Assess the squirrel activity in your
yard or garden to determine the best way to get rid of ground squirrels. Look
for signs of squirrel damage: golf ball-size or smaller holes in your plant
beds, bite marks on fruit, missing plants or tree bark and container digging.
Then follow the appropriate steps above to keep squirrels out of your yard or
get rid of them after they arrive.