Have you ever wondered how to keep squirrels away from your yard or garden? You’re not alone. Thousands of people online have already wondered about this and have written about it on the web. I’ve been in your shoes and tested many different ways of keeping squirrels away from my home, friends, and clients’ homes.
Here are some of my top tips that work well at keeping the annoying critters out.
Ways on how to keep squirrels away from your yard
1. Use Deer Repellent.
One of the most effective ways on how to keep squirrels away from your property is using deer repellent.
This product attracts deer with its fragrance, which will then scare away any other animals that may come near it, including squirrels. It also comes in many different forms, such as Sprays
- Pellets (which can be scattered around)
- Granules (which can be sprinkled on top of soil)
- Powders (which can be used for mixing into water)
You can choose whichever option works best for you based on what kind of access you have to these areas where it needs to be applied. Some types require more effort than others, so keep that in mind when deciding which one will work.
2. Find Possible Points of Entry.
Be sure to look around the perimeter of your yard for any gaps or holes that might let the squirrels in.
Look at the following locations.
- Under trees and bushes
- Inside planters and pots on the ground
- Under decks or porches
- Anywhere there could be a gap between two pieces of wood or stone
If there’s a gap like this near your house, then it’s likely that squirrels are getting into the gap from above, and if they’re coming from above, then it’s just a matter of blocking off those gaps!
Solution: I recommend sealing up all entry points with heavy-duty materials like wire mesh or sheet metal before trying anything else.
3. Install a Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder.
One way on how to keep squirrels away out of your bird feeder is by installing a squirrel-proof bird feeder. Squirrels are incredibly resourceful, so if you want a bird feeder that will hold up against their efforts, you’re going to need one designed specifically for them.
The concept behind a squirrel-proof bird feeder is simple.
The feeding ports are too small for squirrels to fit through, but they’re large enough for birds and, most importantly, large enough for your favorite feathered friends to eat!
There are a few types of squirrel-proof bird feeders on the market today. Some have a baffle inside to prevent the squirrels from accessing their food, while others have an adjustable weight mechanism that prevents them from climbing up and getting at their food.
4. Install a Squirrel-Proof Fence Around Your Yard or Garden.
There are several different types of squirrel-proof fences available, but they all work in the same way, preventing squirrels from getting into your yard or garden.
Here are some of the most common types of fences you can install.
- Wire mesh fences
- Chain link fences (which have openings too small for squirrels)
- Chicken wire fences (which also have openings too small for squirrels)
- Solid wooden fences (which might require some maintenance)
Make sure that none of these options have any holes bigger than 1 inch wide by 2 inches tall.
5. Keep Flowers and Plants Away From the House Foundation.
When learning how to keep squirrels away, one of the best ways to do so is by keeping flowers and plants away from the foundation of your home. But why?
Squirrels are instinctive to dig in the dirt, so they love to dig up flower beds and plant holes near your home’s foundation.
Flower beds near foundations can be an easy way for them to get into your home or attic. If you keep flowers and plants away from your house’s foundation, you can keep squirrels out of your yard.
6. Use a Dog to Keep Squirrels Away From Your Garden or Yard.
Dogs are natural predators of squirrels, so they are a great way on how to keep squirrels aways from your garden or yard. If you already have dogs, consider getting one large enough to scare off squirrels. If you don’t have any dogs, consider getting one specifically for keeping squirrels out of the yard!
If you have a large dog that will naturally scare off squirrels, this may be the best option for keeping them away from your garden or yard without having to do anything else!
7. Plant Squirrel Deterrents or Tasty Treats to Squash Their Appetite.
If you’ve got a knack for growing things, consider planting some marigolds around your garden and birdfeeders. Squirrels hate the smell! You could even plant mint or thyme plants right next to your garden beds. They’ll keep the rodents away while adding a lovely scent to your space.
Another option is to use deterrents like spike balls, which will catch and hurt any animal that tries to dig through them.
These balls will also prevent smaller animals from digging up bulbs and seeds if placed over newly planted areas. You could also try placing birdseed near your plants since birds are one of their natural predators!
Be sure to let me know how you keep squirrels away from your yard!
Squirrels are cute and furry and have a tendency to steal birdfeeders from yards and gardens. That is, until they start nesting in your house. When squirrels originate from the attic of your house or invade the gutters of your house, that is when most homeowners realize just how irritating these creatures can be.
The list mentioned above of strategies is what you can try at home to keep squirrels from invading your yard and garden. If you fail to keep those squirrels away from your garden, then chances are they will start to invade your house too. And you don’t want that!
So, once you have discovered that squirrels are lingering in your yard, you better act quickly before they start familiarizing themselves with your whole property!