Squirrels are pretty cute, no doubt. But when they start digging up your flower beds, raiding your bird feeders, or worse, sneaking into your attic, their charm quickly wears off. If you’re seeing more squirrels than you’d like in your yard or noticing signs they’ve made themselves at home, it’s time to do something about it—but without hurting them.
1. Cut Off Their Food Supply
Squirrels are basically foraging machines, so if there’s food lying around, they’ll keep coming back. Make sure bird feeders are truly squirrel-proof, clean up fallen seeds regularly, and don’t leave pet food or scraps outside. Even a tiny pile of seeds on the ground will attract them.
2. Plant Flowers They Hate
It turns out some flowers actually repel squirrels. Try planting daffodils, marigolds, or hyacinths around your garden. Their strong smells and bitter tastes make squirrels avoid those areas. Plus, these flowers brighten up your yard—win-win!
3. Use Squirrel Repellent Sprays
There are sprays made from natural ingredients that squirrels find offensive—think strong smells or bitter tastes. Spraying these around plants or spots squirrels like to dig can be a gentle but effective way to keep them away. Just remember to reapply after rain.
4. Trap and Relocate (The Humane Way)
If squirrels have made a real mess, live traps baited with nuts, apples, or fruits let you catch and relocate them safely. Just be sure to release them several miles away from your home so they don’t find their way back.
5. Let Your Dogs Roam
Dogs are natural squirrel deterrents. If you have a dog, letting them spend time outside in your yard will usually keep squirrels at bay. Big dogs, especially, scare squirrels off pretty quickly.
6. Chemical Repellents—Use with Care
There are chemical repellents that irritate squirrels and stop them from chewing or digging. However, you must be careful with these products—always read labels and keep pets and kids away from treated areas.
7. Fence Off Your Garden Beds
While a regular yard fence won’t keep squirrels out, placing plastic or metal netting around your garden beds or individual plants creates a barrier squirrels won’t bother crossing. This is especially useful for protecting vegetables and bulbs.
8. Secure Your Garbage and Compost Bins
Squirrels are clever scavengers. Make sure your outdoor trash cans have tight-fitting lids or locking mechanisms. Compost bins should also be squirrel-proof—otherwise, you might be inviting them to a free buffet.
9. Trim Trees and Shrubs Near Your House
Squirrels often use tree branches as highways to your roof and attic. Keep branches trimmed at least 10 feet away from your home to make it harder for them to jump inside.
How to Know If You Have a Squirrel Problem
Some tell-tale signs you might have squirrels hanging around more than you want include:
- Hearing scratching or scampering noises inside walls or the attic, especially at dawn or dusk
- Finding dug-up flower beds or holes in your garden
- Noticing chewed wires, insulation, or wood inside your home
- Spotting squirrel droppings near the house or yard
- Seeing squirrels frequently around your property, especially at feeding spots
If you spot these signs, it’s a good idea to start the humane removal methods above. If things get out of control, calling a pest control pro is your best bet.
Final Thoughts
Getting rid of squirrels humanely takes a bit of patience and effort, but it’s worth it. These tips will help protect your home and garden without causing harm to the squirrels. Keep food sources limited, protect your plants, and make your yard less inviting—and those bushy-tailed visitors will move along.
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