Keep Squirrels Away from Your Wildlife Porch, Deck, or Backyard
If you want to discourage or deter squirrels -- whatever the reason -- try making food inaccessible, providing food not favored by squirrels, or providing food specifically for squirrels.
Quick Note
Animal scents, sound emitters, and other devices aren't very effective for very long.
Inaccessible Food
Prevent squirrels from accessing food by
- Using squirrel-deterring feeders with cages, baffles, or other elements
- Placing the feeder away from squirrel jump-points
- Protecting bulbs and other plants
- Removing other food sources like dog food
Feeders By Placement
For all other feeders, the feeder must be at least five feet from the ground and other tree limbs, decks, or balconies to prevent squirrels jumping onto the feeder.
Also, try to avoid placing feeders near windowsills or doorways.
Plants
For plants favored by squirrels -- bulbs or vegetation -- try wire mesh or metal cages. Simple bird netting can work as well, although not as affectively. Or, try spreading powder deterrent like Shake Away on the soil's surface.
Distasteful Food
Discourage squirrels by providing food they, hopefully, will find distasteful.
- Thistle seed seems to be less preferred by squirrels than most other wild birdseed. They will still eat it, but it won't be gobbled like other birdseed.
- Squirrel Away
, a concentrate repellent powder made from the spicy part of hot peppers, or other similar products may discourage squirrels and will not harm birds.
2 comments
Carol
I've got an article coming out next week (May 15th) on keeping squirrels out of your home, but in brief --
Some electrical pest repellers do work very effectively. However, they don't work around corners or through walls, so you'll need to buy enough repellers to cover your attic space (or wherever they're invading).
This might be problematic, as they can be expensive.
The following is a link to a product on Amazon that other people have found effective:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E7OYBK?ie=UTF8&tag=cindyraeblogs-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000E7OYBK

