The presence of squirrels often becomes problematic when a property provides a consistent, easily accessible food source. This unintentional feeding leads to increased local populations, which causes property damage through constant gnawing and digging. Concentrated wildlife activity also increases the risk of disease transmission and creates an ecological imbalance. Resolving a squirrel issue requires eliminating all sources of sustenance, making the environment unappealing.
Identifying and Securing Food Attractants
The first action in deterring squirrels involves auditing the property to eliminate every potential meal. Securing outdoor garbage is paramount, as food waste is a powerful attractant. Plastic trash cans should be replaced with chew-resistant metal containers, or their lids must be secured with a locking mechanism or robust bungee cords.
Any fallen fruit, nuts, or seeds from trees and shrubs should be cleared from the ground daily, as this debris provides a readily available source of calories. Pet food left outside, particularly overnight, must be removed and stored in sealed containers indoors. Squirrels are adept at sensing and accessing these easy meals.
Bird feeders are another primary attractant, and a complete cessation of feeding may be necessary to break the cycle of dependency. If feeding must continue, switch from high-appeal foods like sunflower seeds and corn to alternatives that squirrels find less palatable, such as safflower or nyjer seed. Removing ground feeders is also advised, as these are the easiest for squirrels to access without effort.
Implementing Physical Barriers and Exclusion
Once food sources are managed, the next step is to physically block access to desirable areas, particularly homes and gardens. Squirrels can enter structures through surprisingly small openings, often chewing at gaps around vents, eaves, and rooflines to widen them. All potential entry points into an attic or shed should be sealed with heavy-gauge materials like metal flashing or half-inch hardware cloth, which is resistant to chewing.
Preventing access to bird feeders requires the installation of baffles, which are physical collars designed to prevent climbing. These dome or cone-shaped barriers should be placed on poles at least five feet above the ground and extend outward at least 15 to 20 inches to prevent squirrels from reaching around them. Weight-activated feeders are also an option, as they close the seed ports when a heavier animal, like a squirrel, attempts to perch.
Garden protection should involve creating a barrier around vulnerable areas using wire mesh or chicken wire, which must be buried at least six inches deep to prevent burrowing underneath. Additionally, trimming tree branches that overhang the roof or are within eight to ten feet of the house removes common access bridges. Squirrels use these branches as launching points to bypass ground-level defenses and access upper floors or the roof.
Using Taste and Scent Repellents
Repellents work by targeting the squirrel’s acute senses of taste and smell, making an area or food source unappealing without causing harm. Capsaicin, the compound that gives chili peppers their heat, is one of the most effective non-lethal taste deterrents. Mammals, including squirrels, possess specific sensory receptors that register capsaicin as a burning sensation.
Birds lack these receptors, meaning they are unaffected by the heat and can consume capsaicin-coated seeds without discomfort. Treating bird seed with a capsaicin powder or oil mixture, formulated to several thousand Scoville Heat Units (SHUs), significantly deters squirrels. Use gloves when handling the treated seed to avoid personal irritation.
Scent-based repellents can also be applied around vulnerable areas like planters or entry points. Squirrels are often repelled by strong odors, with some homeowners finding success applying mixtures containing peppermint oil or apple cider vinegar. While these natural scents require frequent reapplication, particularly after rain, commercial granular or spray repellents often contain similar active ingredients formulated for extended effectiveness.
Humane and Legal Methods for Discouragement
In situations where prevention and repellents fail, physical removal may become the necessary final step, though it involves navigating ethical and legal complexities. Live-catch traps can be used to capture squirrels, but using these devices requires careful consideration for the animal’s welfare, including frequent monitoring to minimize stress. Alternatively, one-way exclusion doors can be installed over den openings, allowing squirrels to exit the structure but preventing their re-entry.
Lethal methods, such as poison or certain traps, are considered inhumane and are illegal in many jurisdictions for non-professional use. The primary difficulty with removal often lies in the legal restrictions surrounding relocation. State and local wildlife regulations prohibit moving a wild animal to a new location due to the risk of disease spread or the animal’s inability to survive in unfamiliar territory.
Before attempting any trapping or relocation, check local and state wildlife laws, as some require a permit or mandate that captured animals must be released on-site or euthanized. Combining all methods—securing food, establishing barriers, and applying repellents—is the most reliable long-term strategy for successful discouragement.