If you’ve ever dealt with pesky squirrels in your UK garden, you might wonder how to keep them away. Squirrels have sensitive noses and can be easily put off by certain strong smells. Knowing what smells squirrels hate can help you create a more peaceful outdoor space and protect your plants.
Some effective scents include peppermint, vinegar, and strong soaps like Irish Spring. These aromas can deter squirrels from invading your garden. By using natural deterrents, you can enjoy your outdoor space without the worry of these critters rummaging through your flowers or bird feeders.
Learning how to leverage these smells is a simple and effective way to manage squirrel visits. With a little effort, you can safeguard your garden and keep those furry intruders at bay.
Natural Repellents and Their Effects
Using natural repellents can effectively deter squirrels from invading your garden. Many options rely on strong scents that squirrels dislike. Below are some effective plant-based deterrents, essential oils, and homemade solutions you can try.
Plant-Based Deterrents
Certain plants can naturally help keep squirrels away. For instance, mint, peppermint, and rosemary are known for their strong aromas that squirrels tend to avoid. You can plant these herbs in your garden or create a border around your vegetable patch.
Other options include marigolds, which emit a smell that squirrels find unappealing. Additionally, lemon balm and various citrus fruits like lemons can also act as deterrents. When planted, these can create an effective barrier and add beauty to your garden.
Essential Oils and Their Uses
Essential oils provide a concentrated way to repel squirrels. Peppermint oil is a top choice. You can dilute it with water and spray it in areas where squirrels frequent. This oil not only smells nice to humans but is unpleasant for squirrels.
Cinnamon oil is another great repellent. A simple solution with cinnamon oil can be used similarly to peppermint oil. Other effective essential oils include garlic oil and cayenne pepper oil for their strong scents. Even Tabasco sauce mixed with water can create a spicy repellent spray that squirrels dislike.
Homemade Solutions
Creating your own squirrel repellent is easy and cost-effective. You can make a garlic spray by blending garlic cloves with water, straining it, and using the liquid to spray around your garden. This natural solution keeps squirrels at bay due to the strong smell of garlic.
Another effective homemade repellent includes using coffee grounds. Scatter used coffee grounds in your garden to deter squirrels. Mixing water with white vinegar or apple cider vinegar and spraying it in areas where you see squirrels can also help.
You can also create a homemade pepper spray with cayenne pepper or chili powder mixed with water. Just remember to reapply these solutions after rain.
Alternative Repellent Strategies
When it comes to keeping squirrels away from your garden, various strategies can effectively repel these pests. You can use natural scents, commercial products, and environmental adjustments to deter them.
Using Scents from Predators
One effective way to repel squirrels is to use scents associated with their natural predators. You can find predator urine products designed for this purpose. For example, urine from foxes or coyotes is readily available at garden centers.
Additionally, the smell of skunks can also deter squirrels, as these animals are a natural threat. You could even use strong-smelling items like mothballs or dryer sheets, specifically Bounce dryer sheets, in areas where squirrels are a problem. Just remember to place these items in mesh bags to help control the scent without making a mess.
Commercial Solutions and Physical Barriers
There are many commercial squirrel repellents on the market. Look for products that contain strong scents like capsaicin, which is found in hot peppers. You can also make your own by mixing hot pepper sauce with water and spraying it around your garden.
Physical barriers are also an excellent way to keep squirrels away from potential food sources. Installing bird feeders with squirrel-proof designs can help ensure that squirrels cannot access the seeds. You could also use fencing or mesh netting around your shed or garden to create a physical deterrent against these furry intruders.
Creating Unfavorable Environments
You can make your garden less appealing to squirrels by altering their environment. Clean up fallen nuts, fruits, and seeds. This eliminates food sources that attract them.
Consider using strong-smelling products around your garden, too. You can soak rags in bleach or ammonia and place them near entry points. Just be cautious with these chemicals. Additionally, rubbing soap like Irish Spring along garden edges can create an unwelcoming scent for squirrels.
Using these strategies together helps create a less inviting environment while keeping your garden safe from pesky squirrels.
