How to Deter a Squirrel 
If you want to repel a squirrel, you can use some natural remedies. One of them is rosemary oil. You can prepare a spray by adding 50 to 100 drops of pure rosemary oil to six ounces of boiled water. Sprinkle this mixture on the ground where the squirrels are active and the scent of rosemary will deter them. Also, you can put some plants or bird seed around your house to attract birds and other animals.
Insect repellents
If you want to know how to get rid of a squirrel, you might be thinking that you need to buy special insect repellents. However, these products aren’t effective against all kinds of squirrels. Some are more effective than others and are intended to be used in conjunction with other repellents. And sometimes, the rodents have adapted to the repellents and don’t respond to them. If you find that your squirrel problem is a serious issue, you can try a simple repellent, such as garlic or onion.
There are other methods to get rid of squirrels, such as applying mothballs. These can help drive squirrels away, but mothballs can be toxic to pets and humans. Besides, it’s difficult to apply insect repellents properly, so it’s best to leave this job to a professional. Critter Control has various products to help you deal with squirrel problems. To start, you can read the directions on the label of the insect repellents that you buy.
Plants
If you want to keep squirrels from ruining your landscaping, consider planting plants that repel them. Plants like geraniums, which emit a strong scent, are often effective deterrents. They provide protection for your plants while adding beauty to your landscape. They can also cause allergic reactions in some people. To avoid their odor, you can place plants that contain the smell in strategic locations around your yard or garden.
Another way to deter squirrels from your property is to add predators. You can place owls in strategic areas of your yard, and these birds scare the squirrels away. These predators are natural skittish, and their fear will keep them away. This is another way to keep squirrels away from your yard. You should try to keep the squirrels away as much as possible. You can also try putting some bird feeders near your property to keep them from stealing your seed.
Bird seed mixes
Many people have heard of bird seed blends to deter squirrels, but how do you use them? These mixes include ingredients such as black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer thistle, and white proso millet. Depending on the species you’re trying to protect, you may need to change the mix a couple times over the year. Here are a few tips to keep your birds and feeders squirrel-free:
To avoid paying a bird feed company for a bird seed blend, you can make it yourself. Hot peppers can deter squirrels, and you can find hot pepper birdseed mixes in the market. You can also make your own mix by mixing bird seed with cayenne pepper powder. Make sure to follow label directions, though, because hot pepper can burn your hands. However, this option is more expensive than other methods.
Decoy owls
When placing owl decoys around your yard, be sure to place them where owls usually rest, such as in tree branches. These decoys need to be large enough to scare squirrels away, but they should also be realistically made. Decoying owls is a natural way to deter squirrels and can be relatively inexpensive.
If the problem is more widespread, you can use realistic life-size owl figures or those that move erratically. If you’re trying to scare the squirrels away with sight alone, try using owl decoys that have solar-powered eyes and move with the wind. Other decoys have a scent that mimics that of predators, which may scare off the squirrels.
Using dryer sheets
Squirrels don’t like strong smells. In fact, they are able to sense predators and food from long distances. Because of this, using dryer sheets can deter them from getting close to your property. However, you should note that the scent of dryer sheets may wear off after a while. Nonetheless, you should replace them if you notice that the fragrance is losing its power.
It may sound strange but dryer sheets can be a great way to keep squirrels away. These sheets contain strong fragrances that repel them. You can even tie them to a fence or to a garden. In addition to being highly effective, dryer sheets are easy to store and use. However, you should remember to place them in strategic locations. Avoid piling them up too much, because squirrels can easily reach them!
Using cayenne peppers
Using cayenne peppers to deters squirrels from your yard can be a very effective way to protect your plants. You can sprinkle crushed pepper flakes around flowerbeds and plants, and even on the ground around bulbs and flowers. However, remember to reapply this mixture as needed. It’s also recommended to use this method on plants that are easy for squirrels to reach, such as succulents and melons.
Squirrels love to browse bird feeders, so be sure to sprinkle cayenne pepper around these areas to deter them. Alternatively, you can use a hot pepper spray, which can be made from a variety of recipes, and then sprayed over the area where squirrels are most likely to congregate. While this method is effective, it should be used carefully, because the pepper can wash off.
What is the best way to deter a squirrel?
The best way to deter a squirrel is to put up a physical barrier such as a fence.
Do squirrels eat vegetables?
Squirrels typically eat mostly nuts and seeds but they will also eat fruits vegetables and even insects on occasion.
How can I stop squirrels from eating my flower bulbs?
You can stop squirrels from eating your flower bulbs by planting them in a wire mesh cage.
Do squirrels carry diseases?
Squirrels can carry a number of diseases including rabies typhus and tularemia.
What is the best way to keep squirrels away from my bird feeder?
One way to keep squirrels away from your bird feeder is to place it on a pole or other high surface where the squirrels cannot reach it.
Another way is to use a squirrel-proof bird feeder that has a weight-activated mechanism that closes off the access to the food when a squirrel tries to feed.
What is the average lifespan of a squirrel?
The average lifespan of a squirrel is 4-6 years in the wild and 10-20 years in captivity.
Are baby squirrels born blind?
Baby squirrels are born blind and hairless.
They will open their eyes at around 3 weeks old.
How often do squirrels have litters?
Squirrels typically have 1-2 litters per year with each litter consisting of 2-5 baby squirrels.
How big do squirrels get?
The size of a squirrel depends on the species but most squirrels are between 9 and 10 inches long not including their tail.
What do squirrels use their tail for?
Squirrels use their tail for balance and as a rudder when they are jumping or leaping.
What do squirrels eat in the winter?
In the winter squirrels typically eat the nuts and seeds that they have stored up in the fall.
Do squirrels hibernate?
Some squirrel species do hibernate but others do not.
Hibernation is typically more common in squirrels that live in colder climates.
Are squirrels social animals?
Squirrels are generally solitary animals but they will sometimes live in small groups.
How do squirrels communicate?
Squirrels communicate through a variety of sounds including chattering whistling and barking.
They also use body language such as tail flicking to communicate.
What is the best way to humanely remove a squirrel from my property?
The best way to humanely remove a squirrel from your property is to contact a wildlife removal service.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
