Squirrels can be quite the problem in gardens. These little guys appear to be adorable but can wreak havoc. Squirrels not only cause damage to plants but can also enter your home as they can gnaw through the toughest of materials. Therefore, it becomes extremely necessary to repel squirrels however you can, so you do not have to deal with the damage.
One of the ways to repel squirrels is to use neem oil.
Neem oil is a natural way you can use to repel squirrels. This oil has been used for years in gardens to keep out pests. What makes neem oil so great is natural, so organic gardeners can also use it. The key to using neem oil is to apply it during the evening. Using the oil on your plants during the day can cause plants to burn.
What Smells Deter Squirrels?
The best way to deter squirrels is to use scents to your advantage. Fortunately, there are quite a few scents that squirrels do not like. Hence, you can use these scents in your garden to keep the squirrels out and avoid any damage. Here are some smells which deter squirrels:
Vinegar
The first smell on our list is something even humans do not enjoy, which is vinegar. However, you can use simple white vinegar to create a spray to keep the squirrels away. Squirrels detest the smell of white vinegar, and using it on your plants will protect them from squirrel havoc.
However, it is important to remember that you should avoid using too much vinegar on your plants. In an attempt to protect your garden from squirrels, you will be damaging them from vinegar. It is also best to perform a test patch to see how your plants react. In addition, do not make the mistake of using apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar. If you do that, the apple in the vinegar will attract the squirrels.
Coffee Grounds
You may like waking up to the smell of freshly ground coffee, but squirrels do not like it at all. There is no exact reason why squirrels do not like the smell of coffee grounds, but it is an unfamiliar scent, so they avoid it.
Using coffee grounds in the soil is a great way to keep the squirrels out. In addition, you will also be providing your soil with natural fertilizer. Hence, not only will your garden be doing well because it is safe from squirrels, but also because the coffee is making it thrive.
If you are a coffee drinker, you now have more of the reason to invest in coffee.
Cinnamon
When the fall time comes, we love baking cinnamon rolls and eating anything cinnamon, to be honest. The squirrels in your garden, however, may not be too thrilled about it. Cinnamon not only deters squirrels but also keeps other pests away like ants.
Cinnamon repels squirrels because it activates their sinuses. Therefore, squirrels feel irritated upon encountering cinnamon and leave the place immediately to get away. You can use cinnamon by sprinkling the powder on the soil. However, you will need to reapply cinnamon powder as most of it can get blown away by the wind.
Garlic
Garlic smells amazing in the food we eat. But the strong scent of garlic throws off squirrels and keeps them away. Squirrels find garlic scent pungent, which is why applying copious amounts of garlic to your plants will help keep them safe from squirrels.
You can crush the garlic cloves and place them near your plants. Or you can use garlic oil on your plants too.
Urine Of Predators
A predator’s urine is an indication to the squirrel that there is danger. It can be off-putting to use an animal’s urine in your garden. However, you can get commercially available fox urine which is specifically sold to keep out squirrels.
What Essential Oil Keeps Squirrels Away?
Essential oils can be a great way to keep squirrels away because of their strong smell. Squirrels do not like strong smells and will avoid areas that have them. There are some essential oils you can use to keep your garden safe from squirrels.
Peppermint Oil
Perhaps the most famous oil which squirrels hate is peppermint oil. This oil has a strong scent and is quite overpowering. Therefore, using peppermint oil in your garden will keep the squirrels out.
You can use peppermint oil by diluting it in some water and spraying it around your plants. When creating a mixture, you can add other ingredients that squirrels hate, like cayenne pepper, to make it strong. Another way to use peppermint oil is to soak cotton balls in it. You can place these cotton balls in any openings in your garden that give squirrels a chance of getting in.
Lavender Oil
This is another oil that squirrels do not like. You can use the oil in the same manner as you would use others. While squirrels do pose a strong dislike for lavender oil, they may not necessarily avoid the plant. But the essential oil is strong enough to do the job and keep squirrels out.
Summary
Anyone who has had to deal with squirrels knows about the havoc they create. To some, squirrels appear to be cute, scurrying in gardens. However, they can be a problem as they cause damage to plants and can even enter homes. One way to deter squirrels is to use neem oil. Gardeners have been using neem oil for ages to repel pests. The oil is natural, but it is best to use it during the evening. Otherwise, it can cause plants to burn.
A great way to tackle your squirrel situation is to use scents in your garden they hate. There are many scents that squirrels hate, like garlic, vinegar, coffee grounds, and cinnamon. You can also use the predator’s urine to keep squirrels away by scaring them. Moreover, essential oils like peppermint and eucalyptus also deter squirrels.
Thanks for the berm oil tip! We gave a hazelnut bush that’s weighted down with nuts, but we never get to enjoy them because they’re all gone way before they’re ripe!