If you notice your plants are only … Why do squirrels live in attics? Invite natural predators: Squirrels don't like birds of prey, but birds of prey like squirrels. Keep the coffee grounds. You can buy a commercial product that does a good job; but, if you are like me, you want to know that you are only using safe products in the vegetable garden. Here are some methods you can use to keep them off newly planted lawn. Will fake owl keep squirrels away? "They'll wait until something is almost ripe, and take one bite out of it and throw it on the ground." Garlic, peppermint, and castor oils affect the senses of smell and taste. Also, make sure you offer a supply of water near the treats stations as well. You can surround it with tall wire cages. These do not harm the birds, but will repel squirrels and other rodents. To make your own, buy 26 gauge sheet metal and tin snips. Most of the time, squirrels won't climb past these collars, making them an effective deterrent. Another idea to keep squirrels away is to keep the coffee grounds (that is, the coffee residue left in the coffee maker filter after brewing it). Squirrels look cute and cuddly running down the sidewalk, but when they enter your home, there’s a risk of them bringing in fleas or even ticks on their bodies. The bitter taste of the seed will not bother the birds but will angst the squirrels, keeping them away in a natural way. Squirrels eat; you garden. While this might not be the aesthetic you were going for, the mere silhouette of an owl could send squirrels scurrying. My mother-in-law lived right across the street from us at the time so our dog patrolled our yard and hers. Place plastic or metal collars on your trees to keep squirrels from climbing them. Scattering dog or cat hair around your pumpkins can, therefore, help to keep squirrels from eating them, as they’ll naturally avoid any area that smells of a predator. To keep squirrels away from your bird feeders, mix several teaspoons of cayenne pepper with your birdseed before placing the seed in feeders. Have you ever wondered “How in the world do I keep the squirrels from emptying out our birdfeeders?” It’s a common problem that so many of us have while trying to feed our fine feathered friends. Build a fence out of one-inch mesh wire. Commercial pepper sprays are also available specifically for keeping squirrels away from plants and gardens. "Dogs hate squirrels," he says. Luckily, there are natural ways to do that. This way, you will be attracting squirrels away from your vegetable garden. There are some ready-to-use sprays, like Havahart Critter Ridder. Keep Squirrels Away from Plants in the Vegetable Garden. How To Keep Squirrels Away Naturally? Also, sprinkle some cayenne pepper on your plants so they taste bad if squirrels try to eat them. Squirrels go nuts for fruit. The simple presence of a predatory bird in or around your yard will scare the squirrels away for good. Everyone is happy. Like strobe lights, these sprinklers do not harm the pesky little critters but instead scares them away. Curious squirrels can destroy bird feeders or eat all the seeds meant for your feathered friends. If you can’t keep ground squirrels out of your yard, you can keep them away from your trees and plants using squirrel baffles. The birds are not bothered by the spice, but the hot taste will keep the squirrels … You can also use squirrel baffles on poles that support your bird feeders. Some of the smells that deter squirrels are pepper, mint, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Or, you can put down a layer of mulch around your plants, which squirrels don't like stepping on. Squirrels are diurnal (active during the day) so you can see them doing damage to your garden. However, you can probably find several natural squirrel repellants in your own kitchen. Take a cup of your favorite hot sauce, add a spoonful of cayenne pepper and a capful of Murphy’s Oil Soap, and mix together. Remove Debris. Naturally, you want to protect the food from your birds but at the same time, do it in a way that doesn’t hurt squirrels. If you don’t want to actually spray your plants, sprinkle hot red pepper flakes or powder in the soil around the plants to keep squirrels away. If you've seen hawks or owls in your neighborhood, make a perch for them to invite them into your yard. Another cool way to use the hot sauce is to mix it with birdseed to keep squirrels away from your bird feeder. Get a guard dog. Try these top tips for repelling squirrels naturally. When you’re done brewing your morning pot of coffee, don’t dump the grounds into the trash. How to Get Rid of Squirrels Naturally? Of course you’ll need to repeat this regularly, especially after each time it rains. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A COMPLETELY SQUIRREL-PROOF FEEDER. Jul 17, 2016 - How to Keep Squirrels Away Naturally. Plastic Netting . Consider better planting sites at installation of trees. A squirrel is naturally skittish, so the fear of being injured or eaten could keep them away from your lawn for good. Now That's Interesting. Every two weeks, add a new layer of grounds. Just sprinkle some fresh grounds on the soil surrounding the plants to keep squirrels away. Natural Ways to Repel Squirrels From the Garden Using Spices. Not to mention, it was a great exercise for her too. Yet the scent of predator urine can encourage the critters to stay away. Squirrels don’t like the texture or the smell, and will stay away. Put a two-foot-wide metal collar around trees, at least six to eight feet off the ground. Squirrels are prey animals and are frightened of anything that might eat them, including dogs, coyotes, and even cats. For instance, peppermint oil can also keep mice away naturally. 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