Homemade Squirrel Repellent for Trees

A gray squirrel clings to an unprotected tree.

Despite their cute appearance, tree squirrels can become the scourge of a homeowner. In addition to their habits of stripping bark from trees, they also use branches to gain access to attics and eaves, where they build nests.

Although there is no sure way to stop these unwanted visitors, the Evergreen Animal Protective League believes commercial repellents are rarely successful, and recommends using a homemade repellent containing one or several varieties of hot peppers.

Things You'll Need

• 2 tbsp. habañero pepper sauce
• 2 tbsp. Tabasco® Brand Pepper Sauce
• 1 garlic bulb
• 2 tbsp. cayenne pepper
• 2 tbsp. mild dish washing liquid
• 1 gallon water
• Large metal whisk
• Fine mesh sieve
• Large cooking pot
• 12-by-12 inch square cheesecloth
• Gallon container with tight lid
• Plastic pump sprayer or pressure sprayer

Instructions

1. Bring the water to a slow simmer in the pot and keep covered.

2. 

   A separated garlic bulb and clove.

   Break apart garlic bulb into separate cloves, peel and mince finely or crush and add to the water. Cover and continue to simmer for about five to 10 minutes.

3. 

   Deep red ground cayenne pepper.

   Add the ground cayenne pepper to the water. Stir well with a whisk to incorporate, scraping any cayenne down from the sides of the pot.

4. 

   The small, fiery tabasco peppers.

   Turn off the heat and add hot pepper sauces to the water and stir well.

5. Keep the pot covered and allow the contents to cool, stirring occasionally.
   Add the dish washing liquid when cooled and stir it gently. Do not stir the mixture into a froth.

6. Line the sieve with cheesecloth and pour the mixture into a clean gallon container to remove any garlic and any undissolved cayenne.

   Cap the container tightly and store it in a cool area until needed.

7. 

   A typical household spray container.

   Pour the strained mixture into the spray container. Apply the mixture liberally to any tree trunks up to at least six feet high around the trunk's circumference.

Tips & Warnings

• Trimming tree limbs from at least 10 feet away from buildings will also prevent squirrels from jumping onto roofs.

• This spray will need to be re-applied every two to three days and always after rain.

• This may also be used without damage to garden plants and flowers.

• The pepper spray may be stored for up to two weeks.

• Always use rubber gloves when handling hot pepper products to avoid serious skin and eye irritation.

• Never apply pepper sprays without adequate facial protection, as inhaling the spray can cause or aggravate severe respiratory problems.

References

• Our Garden Gang: Tabasco® Brand Pepper Sauce
• Urban Wildlife Rescue, Inc.: cayenne pepper
• Evergreen Animal Protective League: squirrel repellent