What Is a Good Squirrel Repellent?

Don't let his adorable look fool you, he can be a real pest.

Squirrels can be a real hassle to your home, whether they're tearing through your garden, pecking at your bird feeder, or shacking up in your attic. Luckily, there are many good squirrel repellents you can use to get rid of these pests.

Predator Urine

Fox urine can help deter squirrels from your yard.

There are a number of different products out there that advertise themselves as squirrel repellents that are really just containers full of fox and other predator urine. The concept is simple: The squirrels smell the predator's urine and stay away from wherever they smell it.

Hot Peppers

Hot peppers are also used in spray form to keep squirrels away.

Pepper spray made of cayenne peppers and other irritating hot peppers can also be bought in spray form to help deter squirrels from snooping around your yard. Ground black and white peppers have also been used in these products.

Fences and Seed

Put a wire fence around your garden; just make sure to bury it.

If you're trying to protect your garden from squirrels, try installing a wire fence around it. Just be sure to dig at least eight to 12 inches under the ground to install the fence, as squirrels can burrow.

Seed

Switch up your bird seed to something squirrels won't eat.

If it's your bird feeder you're defending, try switching to a different bird seed that squirrels don't eat. Safflower seed is a favorite among a variety of different birds, and it has a bitter taste that most squirrels find unfavorable, according to the National Wildlife Federation.

References

• Get Rid of Things: How to Get Rid of Squirrels
• National Wildlife Federation: 10 Tips for Outwitting Squirrels

Resources

• Havahart: Non-Lethal Squirrel Repellents