If you’ve ever seen squirrels running around your garden, you know how annoying squirrels can be.
They forage consistently and are not afraid to dig up flowerbeds, rake up trash, raid bird feeders, and generally make a mess.
They may be cute, but their destructive habits can damage your property. You’ll find they can be a real nuisance if you allow them to roam your garden.
But don’t despair. There are several steps to getting rid of squirrels effectively.
Identify Types of Squirrels
To begin, you must figure out which type of squirrels are raiding your property and what they’re consuming.
The two most frequent in North America are eastern gray squirrels and red squirrels.
Eastern grays happen to be the bigger species, so there’s a chance that this is the kind you’ve been seeing in your yard.
After determining the types of furry pests, you can then start taking steps to get rid of them entirely.
Are Squirrels A Threat To Your Property?
The answer is both yes and no.
While squirrels typically aren’t considered a huge threat to the property, they can cause some damage and there are instances where they pose a serious danger.
For example, if these animals gnaw on electrical wiring, it could lead to an outbreak of fire.
Not only this, but squirrels that nest in attics or walls can create considerable destruction by gnawing on wood beams or insulation.
If left without monitoring, this deterioration can end up amounting to expensive repairs.
In the majority of cases though, the harm brought about by squirrels is minimal.
For example, even if they dig through gardens while looking for food, chances are they won’t consume all of your plants.
All things considered, while squirrels may be a nuisance, they are not typically considered a major threat to your property.
They may go through your trash cans, but usually don’t make too much of a mess.
In some cases though, they can pose a danger.
If you have worries about squirrels near your home or office space, it’s best to seek ways to get rid of them.
How To Get Rid Of Squirrels In Your Yard?
If you have squirrels in your yard, you’re not alone. These nasty creatures are found all over the world and can be a real nuisance.
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to get rid of squirrels.
1. Identifying where squirrels come from
The first step to getting rid of squirrels is knowing where they come from.
If you have a lot of trees in your yard, chances are that squirrels live there.
Look around and see if you can spot any nests or burrows.
You should also cut off any branches that cling to your property, as this allows squirrels easy access to your garden.
Once you know where they’re coming from, you can start taking steps to get rid of them.
2. Removing Food Sources
One of the best ways to get rid of squirrels is to eliminate their food sources.
If you have bird feeders or fruit trees, remove them or make sure they are inaccessible to squirrels.
You should also collect fallen fruit on your tree so that the squirrels have nothing to eat.
Also, you need to make sure that there is no standing water in your garden.
If you have a yard, make sure it’s fenced off so squirrels can’t get in.
3. Try natural repellents
There are some natural remedies you can try to get rid of them if you’re tired of those nasty rodents.
One is to sprinkle menthol around your garden; Squirrels hate the smell and will stay away.
Another way is to sprinkle with cayenne pepper or garlic. The spicy smell will discourage them and if they eat it, it will make them upset in their stomach.
Finally, you can try growing squirrel-resistant plants, such as fox holsters or daffodils.
Natural remedies are the surest way to keep your garden squirrel-free.
4. Using a commercial repellent
Another way to keep squirrels away is to use a commercial repellent. There are many commercial repellents with different ingredients that serve the same purpose.
For example, some commercial repellents contain ingredients such as rosemary oil, peppermint oil, egg oil, and cinnamon oil and help repel squirrels by making them uncomfortable.
You can spray the repellent around your yard or anywhere else where squirrels are likely to appear.
5. Squirrel Traps
When deterrence isn’t working or you just want to get rid of squirrels quickly, there are plenty of traps to use.
The most common type is a live trap that catches squirrels without harming them.
Once you catch a squirrel, you can move it to another location away from home.
You can buy special traps at most hardware stores or make your own using a shoebox and peanut butter.
6. Call a professional
If you have tried all of the above and are still unable to get rid of the squirrel, you may need to seek professional help.
There are many companies that specialize in pest control and can eliminate the squirrel problem for good.
You can identify the species of squirrels you are dealing with and develop a customized plan to eradicate them.
If you have a problem with a squirrel in your garden, don’t hesitate to call the squirrel for help.
Should I Use Lethal Traps For Squirrels?
When an animal becomes a nuisance, it’s understandable that you want to get rid of it as soon as possible.
However, there are a few things to consider before performing this procedure.
First, do squirrels really cause harm? If squirrels can easily get into your trash cans or raid bird feeders, it is easier and safer to find a way to protect property from squirrels rather than kill them.
There are also many non-lethal traps that effectively scare away squirrels without harming them.
Use these traps only as a last resort as improper use can be dangerous to other animals and children.
Ultimately, it’s a personal choice to use lethal traps on squirrels. However, it’s important to weigh all options before making a decision.
Conclusion
Getting rid of squirrels can be a difficult task, but it’s definitely doable if you’re willing to put in the effort.
By taking away their food sources, using traps or repellents, and making your property inaccessible, you can force the squirrels to find somewhere else to live—and leave your yard alone for good!
Getting rid of squirrels is hard work, but you can definitely do it if you’re willing to put in the effort.
By using traps and repellents, depriving them of their food sources, and making them inaccessible to your property, you can let the squirrels find somewhere else to live and leave your garden alone for good!
