When you find a pest spending time in your home or yard, you will no doubt spring into action to get them out. With how quickly many rodents can multiply it’s imperative to get them out as soon as you can, before they create an infestation. However, taking measures to prevent them from getting comfortable in the first place can often make your job that much easier! There are a number of things you can do to prevent pests like squirrels from seeing your space as the perfect place to build a nest.
Top ways to deter squirrels
Face it, squirrels are a nuisance homeowners don’t want nesting in their attic and causing, potentially, thousands of dollars in damage to wiring and insulation. In such case, call humane wildlife professionals to get them out fast. At Halton Wildlife, we’re squirrel removal specialists and have been serving Oakville, Burlington and Milton since 2009!
There are a number of things that you can do to help protect your home from squirrels and push them to take up residence elsewhere. Taking measures to deter them before they settle in for nesting season is the best way to keep your yard and home free from pesky squirrels.
1. Plant some flowers
Not only can flowers help keep squirrels away, they have the added benefit of making your yard look nice, too! There are a number of different flowers and plants that squirrels will avoid. Flowers like daffodils, geraniums, hyacinth and lily of the valley are all very brightly coloured and aromatic, which helps to push squirrels away.
2. Experiment with scents
There are a number of different scents that can be strong enough to deter a squirrel from hanging around in your yard. Spray your plants and yard with water, then sprinkle pepper, garlic or peppermint oil around the area to overwhelm their scent receptors and encourage them to hang out elsewhere.
3. Remove squirrel food sources
The easiest way to deter squirrels from sticking around your yard is to remove their food sources. Pet food dishes, garbage bags, compost piles, fallen fruit and nuts, and bird feeders are all huge draws for a hungry squirrel looking to stock his den for winter. Squirrel proofing your bird feeders, securing garbage lids and bringing pet food dishes inside are all great preventative measures.
4. Make your yard unappealing
Clearing your yard of brush and fallen trees can reduce the places where a squirrel can hide to create a den for their family. Especially as baby season approaches, squirrels are looking for dark, safe and quiet spaces to hide.
5. Prevent squirrel entry to your home
Cut any branches that extend to your house and seal up any holes in your soffit, around your chimney and in the roof to prevent their entry to your attic, which is a very appealing place to spend the winter.
6. Make the squirrels uncomfortable
Squirrels are very skittish pests, so it’s not difficult to make them feel uncomfortable in your yard. Play music, set up a statue of a predator like an owl, or install motion activated lights or sprinklers to scare squirrels away.
7. Use a store-bought deterrent
There are a couple commercial products available that can help deter squirrels from your yards. Sprays made to smell like the urine of their predators and ultrasound frequency machines can both act as a great deterrent for squirrels. You can also douse towels in apple cider vinegar and place them in your attic to make the area feel unappealing.
Preventative measures are the best option
When facing a possible squirrel infestation, there are a number of things to look for that could indicate a problem. However, the best thing you can do is take preventative action. Ensuring that your space is free from food sources and hiding spaces can help deter squirrels before they turn into a problem. Once a squirrel has entered into your attic, you may need to contact a professional to get them out, especially if you suspect they’ve had babies.
