How to Chase Squirrels

Squirrels can cause a lot of trouble in your yard and home, especially if there is a bird feeder or garden in the yard. They eat bird food, destroy the vegetables you are growing, and sometimes even get stuck in your house. However, you have nothing to be upset about; There are several ways you can keep these pesky little animals off your property.

Table of Contents

Chasing squirrels in the yard

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Mix cayenne pepper or safflower seeds in the bird feeder to keep the squirrels away. Mix cayenne pepper powder with bird food. Chili is a spice that squirrels don’t like, but it doesn’t hurt birds either. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Similarly, you can try mixing safflower seeds with bird food, as squirrels don’t like them either.

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Make a squirrel-proof feeder to continue feeding the birds. You can buy a bird feeder or make your own. For example, you can mount a dome-shaped stand below the feeder, with the tip facing up. It will be very difficult for squirrels to overcome this base. You can also hang a bird feeder on a wire between two stakes; Thread an empty spool or any rotating object on the rope to deter squirrels. ^{[2] X Research Source}

You can also put cooking oil on the bird feeder poles to prevent the squirrels from climbing up!

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Clean up food spills in the yard. Acorns, nuts, and berries are all squirrel favorites. Sweep up every time these berries fall in your yard to avoid attracting squirrels. You may have to clean every day when the nuts fall. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

If you have a bird feeder, be sure to clean up all the seeds that fall on the ground!

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Attach plastic or metal rings around the trunk to prevent squirrels from climbing. Usually squirrels can’t climb through these rings, so this is an effective measure against squirrels. You can buy this product at home improvement stores or make your own with corrugated iron. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

To make a trunk ring, buy a 26 gauge sheet of corrugated iron and corrugated pliers. Measure the trunk circumference. Using a marker, draw a rectangle with a height of about 60-90 cm, the length equal to the circumference of the trunk you just measured plus a few centimeters. Use corrugated iron cutters to cut according to the drawing. File the corners for less sharpness.
Drill 2 holes at each end of the corrugated board. Take 2 metal springs and attach steel wire to each end of the 2 springs. Wrap corrugated iron around the trunk, then thread the steel wire at one end of the spring into a hole in the top of the corrugated board. Thread the other end of the wire into the opposite hole on the other end of the sheet. Do the same with the remaining spring. The spring will create space for the tree to grow.

Prevent squirrels from entering the house

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Prune branches that swoop down near roofs and chimneys. Squirrels can jump from tree branches to roofs. Prune off branches that extend above the roof and all branches near the house within 1.8 – 2.4 meters.

Prune only enough branches to keep squirrels from jumping into the house. Use a hand saw or pruning pliers to cut.
Always stay safe when climbing ladders. Make sure the ladder is stable and resting on a stable surface. If possible, ask someone to hold the ladder for you.
If branches that need pruning are near power lines, call your utility company or professional service to have them removed.

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Install chimney hoods if the home has a fireplace. Typically, you will face the bottom of a square metal mesh over the chimney mouth, the edges of the mesh against the edges of the chimney mouth. You can then fasten 4 screws to these edges to secure the brick or stone part of the chimney mouth. The top chimney hood and metal mesh frame will prevent squirrels from getting in. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Squirrels can enter the house through the fireplace. The stainless steel mesh chimney cap will prevent squirrels, but you can still use the chimney. ^{[8] X Research Sources}
You can find chimney caps at home improvement stores.
Some types of chimney caps need to be bolted to the metal grating with the rock underneath.

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Go to the attic to find spots where squirrels can get in. Squirrels can get into your home through small holes. Go up to the attic and check during the day to see the light coming through. Seal the holes with wire mesh to block the squirrel’s entrance. You can nail or staple the grating edges on the inside or outside of the perforation. ^{[9] X Research Source}

You also need to look outside as well. Check under the roof for any holes.

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Spray squirrel repellents around holes. Once you’ve sealed the holes, you can create an extra layer of protection by spraying with a repellant. Try a product that contains capsaicin, for example. This is the chemical that makes chili peppers spicy that the squirrels won’t like! ^{[10] X Research Source}

You can also use predator urine to repel squirrels in your yard and around the house. However, it will make the area smell bad, so you should only use this in the garden instead of spraying around the house. This product is available at home improvement stores.

Get the squirrels out of the house

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Place live traps in the attic if you want to catch and release squirrels. Place a small wire cage or box trap in the attic and tie the trap door so that the trap is always open. When the squirrels get used to the trap to eat, you can untie the rope to set the trap. Check traps at least twice a day.

Squirrel bait can be pieces of apple, sunflower seeds, shelled pecans or walnuts, dried corn or peanut butter.
Ask the wildlife authority if you need permission to trap squirrels. Squirrels are generally classified as wild, which means you may need a permit if you want to hunt or kill them.
When releasing trapped squirrels, you should take them at least 5 km away from home, preferably in an area with lots of trees or parks.

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Install a one-way door that opens outwards for the squirrels to leave on their own. Either way, the squirrels will have to go out to find food and water. You can install a one-way door in the attic designed for this purpose. The squirrels will follow the door out but will not return.

You can also make your own version of the one-way door using a piece of plastic pipe about 45 cm long and 10 cm in diameter. Insert the plastic tube into the hole from the outside, but point it toward the ground at a 45-degree angle. The squirrel will be able to get out but cannot climb inside the tube.
Note that the parent squirrel may leave the attic and inadvertently leave the squirrel nest behind. ^{[11] X Research Source}

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Call a professional service if you are unable to deal with the squirrels on your own. If you’ve tried everything and still can’t get rid of the squirrels, your best option is to call a pest control service. They know how to handle rodents and can trap and take the squirrels away from your home. Plus, they can find holes that squirrels use to get into your house and seal them up for you. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Ask friends and family to recommend a pest control service.

Warning

In some areas, squirrels are classified as wild animals, so you should always check local laws before setting traps.
Demolition of squirrel nests is illegal in some areas, so check your local regulations in advance.

Steps

Chasing squirrels in the yard

Prevent squirrels from entering the house

Get the squirrels out of the house

Warning

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