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September 26, 2019Pests

How to Get Rid of Squirrels Around Your Home

Knowing how to get rid of squirrels is one of the most valuable things you can know as a homeowner. If you’ve ever had an infestation, you know just how much damage these little guys are capable of!

Why they’re a nuisance

Squirrels can damage your home, gnawing their way into your attic or roof, creating holes in your home, and infecting your home with droppings. They also pose a threat to your yard. They can damage your garden, undoing the progress you’ve been working on all season or year long.

How to tell if you have a squirrel problem

You’ll likely see them in your yard, hear them running on your roof, and maybe even notice them in your attic. But if you’re not seeing those telltale signs, here are some more… 

• Holes in your plant beds the size of golf balls or smaller
• Bite marks on fruit
• Missing plants
• Missing tree bark
• Holes in outdoor containers
• Holes in your attic
• Holes around your home

How to get rid of them

• Never leave food out. Squirrels love food. Any type of food, really. Bird feeders, pet food bowls, compost… these are all some ways that you could be attracting squirrels into your yard. 
• Keep your yard clean. Remove any fallen fruit or seeds from your yard, especially if you have a garden and/or bird feeders. Also remove any nuts, acorns, or other things that may fall from the trees in your yard. 
• Keep your trash cans tightly closed. Keep squirrels out of your trash by investing in cans with tight-fitting lids. 
• Use scare tactics. Your pet may be enough to scare squirrels away, but if you don’t have one or if you need a little extra protection, place some fake owls throughout your yard to keep them away. 
• Treat your plants. This can’t be used on anything you’re planning to eat, but if you have some flowers or bulbs that squirrels are eating, use taste repellants. You can also sprinkle chili pepper or hot sauce near your plants to keep them away as well. 
• Plant deterrents. There are specific plants that squirrels hate, so planting them throughout your yard, especially your garden, can help keep them away. It’s important to know that this method, while it can help, may not be 100% effective. Plants that squirrels hate:
  • Peppermint
  • Daffodils
  • Snowdrops
  • Allium
  • Hyacinth
  • Fritillaries
  • Galanthus
  • Lily of the Valley
  • Geraniums
• Hot sauce. No, it won’t kill the squirrel, but it can certainly keep them from returning. Try placing dabs of hot sauce near entry points such as holes around your home and other infested areas. They’ll soon associate your house with the feeling they get (and hate) from hot sauce so you can bet they won’t be back.

Sometimes, a squirrel problem can get a little nuts. That’s where we come in. If you need some professional help, we’ve got you covered. Just give us a call and we’ll give you a free in-home inspection and quote!