Top 5 Tips for Keeping Squirrels Away From Your Yard

squirrel sitting on tree branch
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It’s a common problem for many homeowners to have squirrels in their yards. They can be nuisances and cause property damage, so you must put up measures to keep them away. They dig up the grass, chew through your garden plants, and leave behind their droppings—not exactly welcoming for guests. Thankfully, there are some simple things you can do- without spending much money at all- which will help create a peaceful yard for your family and neighbors. Below are five of the most effective methods:

Keep trees Trimmed

One of the most common ways squirrels enter yards is by jumping from tree to tree. Keeping your trees trimmed back will help prevent them from climbing up easily, as well as providing a better view of an animal if it does breach the fence and make its way inside.

If squirrels enter your yard through the roof, do a thorough check around your home to ensure there aren’t any holes in the attic or eaves. If you find an entrance point, patch it up with wood and seal the hole with caulk.

Use Motion-Activated Sprinklers

motion activated sprinklers

One of the best ways to keep critters out of your yard is by convincing them to leave on their own. When squirrels eat from your plants or dig up the ground for food, they will realize that they’re not welcome and move on from there. Motion-activated sprinklers are a great way to scare animals away because they will drench them when they enter your yard.

Squirrels don’t like water, but if they are coming around too often in the front yard, you can also use a hose with high pressure spray attachment, allowing you to thoroughly clean their habitats and discourage them from returning in the future.

Set Traps

squirrel trapped in a cage

The problem with squirrels is that they can live in your yard without you knowing about it. If you see a few of them, there are probably others hiding out somewhere. Besides trimming trees and setting up motion-activated sprinklers, another good way to keep squirrels away from your property is by setting traps and trying to capture the ones that have already invaded.

Once you’ve caught a few squirrels, relocate them just outside of town so they don’t create problems for other homeowners while they’re looking for a new home. This will also prevent them from coming back to your neighborhood now that they know where food and shelter can be found!

Plant Food That They Don’t Want Near Them

squirrel peeks out from behind a tree trunk

Squirrels have an affinity for certain kinds of food like peanuts and peanut butter, but there are many plants out there that will deter their presence, including:

  • Lettuce.
  • Rosemary.
  • Sage.
  • Chives.
  • Basil.

When planting these plants, add some lavender or rue to the mix. Both of these herbs are said to be repellant to squirrels and other critters like rabbits, rats, and mice.

Use Peppermint Oil or Apple Cider Vinegar

Squirrels can sense dangerous creatures in your yard by smell—so using essential oils to mask their presence is one way to keep them from coming into your yard. Apple cider vinegar also works well because it smells like the plants you’d have growing in your garden! As an added bonus, spray some hot sauce around the perimeter of your yard, and squirrels are sure to steer clear for good!

Don’t Feed Them

Feeding squirrels in your yard is giving them a reason to stay longer than they should be and can lead to more issues down the road—though it may seem harmless, this will only attract other animals who are hungry as well.

Buy Repellent From a Local Pet Store

Many things might attract squirrels into your yard: bird feeders, compost piles, and even dog feces inside the house (when left on the front porch). To keep these critters at bay, make sure that there’s nothing in your yard that will attract them!

If you have a bird feeder and notice that squirrels eat all the seeds, buy a squirrel-proof feeder. Just be sure to clean up after your pet because if there’s dog poop in your front yard, squirrels will come running out of the woodwork and dig through it looking for food. The other problem with dog or cat feces is that when it dries up, it turns into an odoriferous substance that attracts every creature within smelling distance, including pesky critters like squirrels. Regularly remove dried feces from your yard so the smell doesn’t linger on and eventually becomes irresistible for wildlife.

Keep Your Dog Away From Them!

Dogs have been known to chase squirrels up trees or into different areas of the yard where they can get trapped or injured by their playful paws. When you see your dog chasing after one, call them back immediately so that they don’t do any damage to property or harm for the sake of playing around. Even if you don’t own a dog, these animals could be feisty enough to get the best of your feline companion.

Can Keeping Squirrels Away also Help in Getting Rid of Chiggers in Your Yard?

Yes, keeping squirrels away can actually help in getting rid of chiggers in your yard. Squirrels can carry chiggers and by preventing them from coming into your yard, you can reduce the likelihood of chigger infestations. So, taking measures to keep squirrels away can also benefit in getting rid of chiggers in your yard.

Put Up a Fence Around the Perimeter of Your Property

wooden garden fence

A fence is also a good deterrent for squirrels. A fence will prevent them from being interested in coming near the area, and they will go elsewhere to find food and shelter.

If you notice squirrels in your attic or garage, check the vents for holes and ensure that the doors are properly sealed. If they can get into these areas, they can most definitely invade other places of interest in your property like the garage or a shed.

Squirrels are crafty and want to find their way into different rooms of your home, so be sure to seal any openings with sturdy metal mesh or plastic sheets that will prevent them from entering.

Squirrels can be a nuisance in your yard, but following these tips can help make sure that the critters will stay out without you having to resort to anything drastic or dangerous. If they are able to sneak their way into your home through a broken latch on a door or small hole in an attic, call squirrel removal services that specialize in getting rid of squirrels once and for all. Squirrel removal companies also provide humane squirrel control, so forget trapping them yourself and instead leave it up to pro!

Want more tips and tricks with updates? Then stay tuned!

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