The Enemy Squirrel
Squirrels are called pests for good reason. They destroy your gardens, chew wires, strip bark off trees, and eat the food out of and destroy your bird feeders. Unfortunately, squirrels are very resourceful and hard to deter. If the infestation is heavy or other means do not control them, you may have to request humane squirrel traps from a wildlife agency to relocate them as a final option. Homemade methods may help, but none are foolproof.
Garden
The major component to controlling squirrels in your garden is repellents. There are many types of repellents. One recipe is to spray the area with Lysol, Epsom Salt, or a mixture of Murphy's oil soap, hot sauce, and cayenne pepper. Mothballs may also help to keep them away. However, the most effective sprays use cayenne pepper and capsaicin. All have to be repeated after rain or if you see squirrel activity increasing. Some desperate gardeners fence their dog in the garden during the day to keep squirrels away. If you reach that point, it may be time to trap and remove.
Home
Make sure no squirrels are already in your house. If they have been in your attic or other areas, check thoroughly for frayed wires. Find any holes where they enter. The best option is to repair the wood. However, packing holes with steel wool pads and nailing them into place will prevent most squirrels from returning.
Bird Feeders
Seeds such as thistle and safflower are not attractive to squirrels, so feeding only those may help. It helps to use single seed types in each feeder so that choosy birds don't toss unwanted seeds to the ground, attracting squirrels. Also, attach a pie pan or container to the bottom of the feeder to catch spilled seeds to prevent ground feeding. Make small holes in catchers to allow rain drainage.
Feeder Placement
Squirrels will drop out from trees and roof tops, scale lines, or climb most feeders. Place all feeders away from anything overhanging. Use poles or lines for the feeders that are high enough that squirrels cannot jump to the feeder.
Feeder Deterrents
Putting feeders inside wire cages that have holes big enough for the birds but not for squirrels may help, but some squirrels will chew through the wire. Placing a domed top over the feeder makes it hard for squirrels to drop onto the feeder. Attaching mothballs to feeders may keep some squirrels away. Adding cayenne pepper to all feeders will not keep away birds but may help deter squirrel feeding.
Petroleum Jelly
One of the cheapest methods to keep squirrels off feeders is simply smearing poles or lines with petroleum jelly. If the feeder is far enough from overhanging objects to prevent dropping onto the feeder, petroleum jelly will withstand many rains and prevent squirrels from scaling poles or crossing lines to get to them.
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