In gardens, squirrels dig up flower beds, and lawns, and even gnaw on hose pipes and bird feeders.
To combat this issue, many gardeners have turned to natural methods to deter squirrels, with one particularly effective solution that can be found in your kitchen cupboard.
Three methods to get rid of squirrels
1. Chilli
According to a number of recommendations on Facebook, chilli powder is the key to keeping squirrels out of the garden. Balvinder Lally shared her experience, stating that while she enjoys watching the squirrels in her garden, they often cause damage by digging up plants and eating bulbs and rose buds. She found that cayenne or chilli pepper helps keep them away from pots and beds, although it needs to be reapplied after rain.
Other gardeners echoed these sentiments. Sian Watson expressed frustration at the destructive nature of squirrels and endorsed the use of cayenne pepper or hot chilli powder to protect plants. Tracey Davies confirmed that using chilli powder successfully kept squirrels out of her garden.
Jacquie Brown shared a useful tip, mentioning that sprinkling extra hot chilli powder not only deters squirrels but also keeps foxes, rats, snails, and slugs away.
Marie Richardson commented: “If an animal is digging in your pots then it’s likely to be squirrels. Chilli powder is very effective. Also, mix it with your bird food to keep them away.”
READ MORE Keep squirrels out of gardens with cheap ‘DIY repellent’ known to ‘deter’ pests
2. Soap
Another suggestion from gardeners is to add soap around the plants that need protection. Trudy Greenwood mentioned a tip she saw on TV, which involves grating hard soap onto the plants. The smell of the soap is said to deter squirrels from approaching.
Carol Redfern added that grating soap over the soil where bulbs are planted, as well as placing some under the soil, can prevent digging as squirrels dislike the taste of soap.
By implementing these natural methods, gardeners can effectively keep squirrels away from their gardens and protect their plants from damage.
Whether through the use of chilli powder, vaseline, or soap, these solutions provide a safe and affordable way to deter squirrels and maintain the beauty of your garden.
3. Vaseline
In addition to chilli powder, some Mrs. Hinch fans suggested using Vaseline to make bird feeders inaccessible to squirrels.
Sylvia Grace shared her success with applying Vaseline to the pole supporting her bird feeder, preventing squirrels from climbing up it. Vicki Simmonds also endorsed this method, noting that the squirrels eventually give up and move on when faced with the greased pole.
The RSPB also recommends using a downward-opening cone or a biscuit tin fixed below a bird table to prevent squirrels from climbing up. Greasing a smooth pole with Vaseline or another type of grease can also be effective in deterring them.
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