Brampton Squirrel Control Tips
Squirrels may be cute but they can be a big problem around your house and garden. A persistent squirrel problem can lead to extensive damage like chewed wires, destroyed plants, and stolen bird food. Finding a good squirrel deterrent is key to protecting your outdoor space and keeping it safe for both humans and pets. Deterring them from your property also lowers the chance that they’ll stick around and chew or break in to your roof to reside or have young. Ultimately, by doing simple things for example adding spices to your bird feeder, can not only attract more birds to your yard but also repel squirrels at the same time, so you can be more creative with bird feeding all year round.
Squirrel Behaviour and Damage
Eastern gray squirrels are intelligent and adaptable creatures that can cause a lot of damage to gardens, bird feeders and homes. Understanding their behaviour is key to developing effective deterrents. These furry intruders are attracted to food sources like bird seed, tree nuts or fallen fruit, and garden crops. Bird feeders, however, are one of the most common targets. Gray squirrels in particular are known for being aggressive and persistent in their pursuit of food, often outcompeting birds and other smaller wildlife such as chipmunks.
Squirrels are notorious for digging and burrowing which can ruin gardens and landscaping. They search for hidden food and can make unsightly holes and damage plants. By understanding these behaviours you can plan better on how to keep squirrels away using repellents that target their sense of smell and taste. If you see squirrels digging in your yard, consider using repellents right away or installing barriers if required.
Why Squirrels are a Nuisance
Squirrels can cause significant damage, particularly when they chew on structures, plants, and electrical wiring. Their persistent digging in flower pots and gardens disrupts landscaping as they search for hidden food sources. The chew marks on shingles or wood beams indicates they’ve gotten in to your roof. Additionally, they compete with birds for food at feeders, making it challenging to attract birds without interference. Without effective deterrents, squirrels will continue to return to areas where food is readily available.
Natural Squirrel Deterrents
Smell Based Repellents
One of the most effective methods for deterring squirrels is using scents they find unpleasant. Natural deterrents such as peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, apple cider vinegar, and ammonia can create an environment that discourages squirrels from lingering. A simple homemade squirrel repellent can be made by mixing peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle and applying it to areas where squirrels are active. Cayenne pepper can also be combined with water to form a paste, which can be applied to fences, decks, and garden perimeters. Additionally, pepper spray can be used on garden beds, fences, and outdoor furniture to make these spaces less inviting. For a longer-lasting deterrent, rags soaked in ammonia or apple cider vinegar can be placed strategically around high-traffic areas to further discourage squirrel activity.
Motion & Visual Deterrents
Squirrels are easily spooked by sudden movement and unexpected sounds. Motion activated sprinklers can scare them away when they enter your yard. A battery operated fake owl can also be an effective visual deterrent by making them think a predator is nearby. Having natural predators like cats and dogs in the house or yard can also discourage squirrels from staying in the area.
Commercial Squirrel Deterrents
There are many commercial squirrel deterrents available in the market, sprays, granules, and powders. These products often contain capsaicin the active ingredient in cayenne pepper which squirrels hate the smell of. Other commercial deterrents such as predator urine can be sprinkled around your yard as well, but we do recommend that you investigate how predator urine is obtained before purchasing this product.
Many of these products come in convenient spray bottles so you can spray the deterrent on specific areas where squirrel activity is high. When choosing a commercial deterrent read the reviews and follow the instructions carefully to ensure maximum effectiveness. By using these products you can create an environment that is less inviting to squirrels and protect your yard and garden.
Bird Feeders and Bird Food
If you love to feed birds you know that keeping squirrels away from the feeders is a challenge. Adding spices to your bird feeder can attract more birds and ward off squirrels. Squirrels will raid feeders stealing bird seed and scaring off the birds. To prevent squirrels from taking over use squirrel proof feeders that make it difficult for them to get to the food. Place feeders away from trees, fences and rooftops to limit a squirrel’s ability to jump onto them. Using spicy bird seed coated with cayenne pepper is another great trick as birds are not affected but squirrels will stay away.
Physical Barriers to Keep Squirrels Out
Using physical barriers is another way to put off squirrels and protect your property. Installing a strong gauge wire meshing around gardens (not chicken wire), flower buds and outdoor structures will prevent unwanted digging. If you need to remove squirrels from your property using live traps is a humane option. But before relocating squirrels check local laws to ensure compliance, and confirm that it’s not baby season. Sealing entry points around your house and trimming branches that lead to your roof can also discourage squirrels from invading your space. A reputable wildlife control company can install a strong wire screen on your vents or roof corners, and can set a one way door if they have made their way inside. The one way exit door is set for a minimum of two weeks, after which time it can be closed up and secured.
Squirrel Resistant Plants and Flowers
‘Squirrel-resistant’ plants and flowers can be a good way to deter squirrels from gardens and landscaping. Squirrels dislike plants with strong scents like peppermint, garlic and chili peppers. Other squirrel resistant plants are daffodils, hyacinths and lily of the valley which are beautiful but very unappealing to them.
Also plants with bitter or unpalatable taste like hot peppers and bitter melon can further discourage squirrels from eating crops your garden. By incorporating these squirrel resistant plants in your garden you can reduce squirrel damage and attract other beneficial wildlife to your outdoor space.
Food Sources and Squirrel Prevention
Squirrels are attracted to easily accessible food sources like fruit, accessible garbage, pet food, and spilled bird seed. To keep squirrels away, remove any fallen fruit and ensure trash bins are tightly sealed. If you cook outdoors clean up any leftovers promptly to avoid attracting squirrels and other rodents like rats, mice and chipmunks. Keeping your yard free of excess food is a simple but effective way to reduce squirrel activity.
Humane Squirrel Control Methods
Humane squirrel control prioritizes the safety and well-being of both humans and wildlife. One method involves the use of live traps for relocating squirrels; however, this approach requires careful planning to ensure the animal’s survival in a new environment. While trapping may seem like a quick solution, it is not the most effective first course of action, as the large squirrel population in the region makes complete removal impractical. If relocation is necessary, it is essential to check local regulations to ensure compliance and select a suitable release site within one kilometer. Additionally, trapping should be avoided in early spring and late summer, as these are peak breeding seasons when young squirrels may still be dependent on their mothers in hidden nests.
Excluding squirrels from most areas like bird feeders or gardens can be done using physical barriers such as a strong wire mesh or hardware cloth netting. These barriers will prevent squirrels from accessing food sources and causing damage. Repellents like cayenne pepper or predator urine can also be used to deter squirrels without harm.
It’s important to consider the long term effects of humane control methods and combine them with other deterrents for better results. By using a mix of physical barriers, natural repellents and strategic planning you can deter squirrels while being humane.
How Long Does It Take to Repel Squirrels?
It may take a few weeks to see full results. Some methods like scent based repellents need to be reapplied frequently to remain effective. If a method doesn’t work right away be patient and continue to reinforce deterrents. Squirrels are relentless but consistent efforts will eventually annoy them enough so they’ll hit the ground and move to a new area.
Additional Squirrel Control Tips
Using multiple methods together will give you the best results. Combining scent based repellents, physical barriers and motion devices will make your space less attractive to squirrels. If you have persistent issues consult wildlife removal professionals who specialize in squirrel removal. Since deer, rabbits and other prey animals may also be affected by deterrents choose methods that target squirrels only and not beneficial wildlife.
Conclusion
Squirrels can be a pain but with the right techniques you can deter squirrels and protect your yard, garden and house from damage. A mix of natural repellents, physical barriers and strategically placed feeders will keep your space squirrel free. Be consistent and soon you’ll see less squirrels in your space.
