With spring approaching, have you seen many cute squirrels appearing in your backyard again? They may look so “harmless,” but they invariably turn a tidy backyard into a chaotic mess. Squirrels don’t pay mind to our personal property and are always gnawing on the patio furniture and cushions.
So, how to get rid of squirrels in your yard? How can you keep these little critters out? Here are 10 practical ways to take control of your backyard.
1. Remove Food Sources
Food is the main attraction for squirrels. Squirrels are hardworking predators and love to stay where there is food. Therefore, removing food scraps from the backyard is one of the fundamental ways to drive away squirrels. Regularly clear away any fallen fruit, nuts, or snack remnants scattered across your lawn or deck. If you have a bird feeder in your backyard, don’t forget to remove or hide the food on it to prevent squirrels from gnawing on it. Even the trash cans shouldn’t be overlooked. Seal the trash can lid to prevent squirrels from gnawing on the trash.
2. Set Up Physical Barriers
In addition to addressing the root causes of squirrel attraction, physical protection is also important. Cover vegetable gardens and flower beds with metal mesh or garden netting to prevent squirrels, rats, or other rodents from entering. Wrap the tree canopy containing fruit with plastic or metal barriers to prevent squirrels from climbing and nibbling on the fruit.
3. Use Furniture Covers
Squirrels especially love to gnaw on the frames and cushions of patio furniture. Patio furniture is quite heavy, making it difficult to move indoors. Therefore, buying a furniture cover is a good option. When not in use, cover sofas, outdoor chairs, and cushions with furniture covers. This will prevent squirrels from chewing on the patio furniture and protect it from harsh weather damage.
4. Use Spicy and Scent-Based Repellents
Squirrels possess a highly acute sense of smell and strongly dislike pungent odors such as those of chili peppers, mint, and coffee grounds. Therefore, using these natural squirrel repellents is a simple and inexpensive method. Sprinkle chili powder or vinegar on plants and birdseed. Sprinkle some coffee grounds in the flower bed. Sneaking peppermint oil onto the patio furniture. These methods can keep squirrels away from your backyard. To maintain the best results, these products need to be re-sprayed after rain or watering.
5. Use Traps Squirrel Repellent
Besides using scent to repel squirrels, using food traps to catch them is another method. Place food scraps such as nuts, fruits, or potato chips as bait to lure squirrels into the trap. Once captured, relocate them to a natural outdoor environment for release.
6. Plant Squirrel-Repelling Plants
Some plants naturally repel mosquitoes and squirrels, such as daffodils, marigolds, mint, onions, and garlic. Place these pieces of furniture near plants, flower beds, and patio furniture to repel squirrels and other rodents.
7. Install Motion Sprinklers
Installing an automatic sprinkler system is also a very effective method. Motion-activated sprinklers can detect squirrels and startle them with a spray of water as they approach, thereby serving to drive them away. Furthermore, installing these units on the lawn, along the perimeter, or near trees allows them to double as an automatic irrigation system.
8. Maintain Backyard Landscapes
Regularly clean the backyard to reduce its attraction to squirrels. Trim overhanging branches to prevent squirrels from easily climbing onto rooftops or fences. Keep your backyard tidy, clean it, and trim the plants to leave squirrels with nowhere to hide or nest.
Final Thoughts
These cute little creatures always seem to appear unexpectedly in your backyard. By the 8 methods above, you can peacefully coexist with these adorable “anarchists” and drive them out of your backyard. Keep your backyard clean and tidy all year round.
