Photo by kansaskoan
Although squirrels are fascinating critters to watch, they can also be a big nuisance. Apart from digging burrows in the backyard, they also chew through electrical wires in the house and ruin growing vegetables in the garden when they invade your home. The following smart tips are meant to guide you on how to get rid of them naturally:
1. Remove All Sources of Food from Your Yard
One of the many reasons why squirrels are overrunning your property is because they are finding lots of things to eat. If you have any trees that produce nuts or berries in your yard, cut them down. Replace them with trees such as crape myrtle, sugar maple, smoke tree, and saucer magnolia.
2. Trim Branches
Squirrels have the tendency of jumping directly from branches to the roof. To prevent them from doing so, trim all long branches that hang close to your roof or chimney. If you are not an expert at pruning trees, consider hiring the services of a tree care expert.
3. Squirrel-Proof Your Bird Feeders
Squirrels are often attracted to bird feeders because they are a good source of food. To prevent them from eating the birdseed, buy a special bird feeder that spins or tilts when a heavy animal like a squirrel sits on it. Alternatively, you can put a squirrel guard on the pole to prevent squirrels from climbing up.
Since squirrels are capable of accessing bird feeders from branches or your home’s eaves, be sure to place the feeders far from trees and your roof. You can also fill the bird feeder with sunflower seeds, which are too bitter for squirrels. Lastly, remember to keep the area under the bird feeder clean by picking up stray seeds that are dropped by birds.
4. Use Natural Squirrel Repellents
There are several types of repellents that can be used to get rid of squirrels without harming or killing them. Some repellents are made from fox urine or a similar smelling substance. These repellents are meant to be sprayed around the garden or yard to keep squirrels away. There are also some repellents that are made from black pepper or red pepper. These repellents can be sprayed around the garden or added to bird feeders.
If you have chili peppers at home, you can make your own homemade repellent. Dice the chili peppers, place them in a spray bottle, add a considerable amount of water and then shake well for a few minutes. Spray the repellent in your garden or around your home every morning and evening to ensure lasting success.
5. Buy Sealable Outdoor Trash Cans
If your current trash can is easy for squirrels to get into and forage for food, do your best to replace it with a new one that has a tight lid. Close the lid tightly every time you put trash or garbage in the can.
6. Place a Strobe Light in the Attic
To scare squirrels away, install a strobe light in your attic. There are a number of companies that specialize in manufacturing specific types of strobe lights for getting rid of squirrels and other stubborn animals that may be inhabiting attics and other places they shouldn’t be. The light hurts their eyes and drives them mad, forcing them to quit the attic.
7. Seal All Openings in Your Attic
After all the squirrels have gone, seal all the openings that are present in the attic to prevent them from coming back. You can get steel mesh wire and caulk from your local hardware.
8. Use Live Traps
Visit your local home and garden store and ask them for live traps that are specifically designed to capture squirrels without causing them any harm. Set up the traps in areas frequented by squirrels and when any squirrel is caught, take it outside and dispose of it humanly.