15+ Ways to Repel Squirrels From Your Property

Squirrels raiding your bird feeders or digging up your freshly planted bulbs? We’ve seen it countless times. These bushy-tailed critters might look cute, but they can cause some serious damage to gardens and outdoor spaces.

After handling hundreds of squirrel problems across The Woodlands and Houston areas, we’ve put together this guide on what actually works to keep them away.

Understanding Squirrel Behavior (So You Can Outsmart Them)

Before jumping into repellents, it helps to know what we’re dealing with. Squirrels are:

• Incredibly persistent – they’ll keep trying different approaches
• Food-motivated – they follow their nose and stomach
• Territorial – they remember food sources and return regularly
• Adaptable – they learn quickly what to avoid

This explains why some repellents work at first but lose effectiveness over time. The key is using multiple methods and switching them up occasionally.

Natural Squirrel Repellents That Actually Work

Smells That Repel Squirrels

Squirrels have sensitive noses, and certain smells drive them crazy (in a bad way). These are our top recommendations:

Peppermint Oil: One of the most effective natural repellents we’ve seen. Squirrels hate the strong smell.

• Soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them around garden beds, entry points, and problem areas
• Reapply every few days, especially after rain
• You can also mix 10-15 drops with water in a spray bottle for plant leaves and surfaces

Spicy Scents: Capsaicin (the compound that makes peppers hot) irritates squirrels’ senses.

• Sprinkle cayenne pepper around plants and garden beds
• Mix 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper with 2 cups of water and a few drops of dish soap for a spray
• Commercial hot pepper sprays work well too (around $15-25 per bottle)

Coffee Grounds: Used coffee grounds serve double duty – they repel squirrels AND benefit your soil.

• Sprinkle them directly around plants
• Replace after heavy rain
• Great for acid-loving plants like azaleas and blueberries

Vinegar: The strong smell repels most wildlife, including squirrels.

• Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle
• Apply to non-plant surfaces like fences, decks, and containers
• Reapply every 2-3 days

Predator Urine: This triggers squirrels’ fear response. Commercial products containing fox or coyote urine work well.

• Apply around the perimeter of your yard (about $20 per bottle)
• Reapply after rain

Do mothballs repel squirrels? While mothballs do repel squirrels, we don’t recommend them. They contain naphthalene which is toxic to pets, can contaminate soil, and isn’t approved for outdoor use. Better options exist!

Plants That Naturally Repel Squirrels

Some plants contain natural compounds that squirrels dislike. Bonus: many of these are pretty additions to your garden!

• Daffodils – contain lycorine, toxic to squirrels
• Alliums (ornamental onions, garlic, chives) – strong odor repels them
• Fritillaria – contain alkaloids squirrels avoid
• Geraniums – strong scent squirrels dislike
• Mint – powerful aroma (but plant in containers as it spreads)
• Marigolds – pungent smell squirrels avoid

Plant these throughout your garden, especially around vulnerable plants or as borders.

Physical Barriers and Deterrents

Sometimes the best approach is to physically block squirrels from accessing what they want:

Wire Mesh/Hardware Cloth:

• Cover garden beds with 1/2-inch wire mesh
• Bury it 4-6 inches deep to prevent digging underneath
• Create cages for particularly vulnerable plants
• Cost: Around $15-30 for a small roll

Bird Feeder Baffles:

• Dome-shaped or cylinder baffles prevent squirrels from climbing to feeders
• Position feeders at least 10 feet from jumping points
• Invest in squirrel-proof feeders with weight-triggered mechanisms
• Good baffles cost between $15-25

Motion-Activated Sprinklers:

• Startle squirrels with sudden bursts of water
• Cover about 1,000 square feet per unit
• Most cost $25-60 depending on features

Ultrasonic Repellers:

• Emit high-frequency sounds that irritate squirrels
• Most effective when used with other methods
• Typically cover 800-1,200 square feet
• Prices range from $20-50 per unit

Will an owl decoy hanging in a tree repel squirrels? Sometimes, but only temporarily. Squirrels quickly learn that stationary predator decoys pose no real threat. Moving the decoy regularly improves effectiveness, but it’s not a complete solution on its own.

DIY Squirrel Repellent Recipes

Why pay for commercial products when you can make effective repellents at home? Here are some recipes we’ve seen work:

All-Purpose Squirrel Spray

• 1 bottle of hot sauce
• 1 gallon of water
• 1 tablespoon of dish soap (helps it stick to surfaces) Mix thoroughly and spray around gardens, planters, and problem areas. Reapply weekly and after rain.

Garlic-Pepper Repellent

• 4 cloves of minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon of hot pepper flakes
• 2 cups of water
• 1 teaspoon of olive oil Simmer ingredients for 15 minutes, strain, and let cool. Add to spray bottle and apply to affected areas. The smell is strong, so avoid using near seating areas!

Vinegar Barrier Solution

• 2 cups white vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup hot pepper sauce Mix in spray bottle and apply to non-plant surfaces where squirrels travel.

Strategies for Specific Problem Areas

How to Repel Squirrels from Bird Feeders

This is probably the most common squirrel complaint we hear in The Woodlands area:

1. Use weight-sensitive feeders that close when heavier squirrels land
2. Add baffles above and below hanging feeders
3. Position feeders strategically – at least 10 feet from jumping points and 5 feet off the ground
4. Try safflower seed instead of sunflower – birds like it but squirrels usually don’t
5. Add capsaicin-treated bird food – birds can’t taste the heat but squirrels hate it

How to Repel Squirrels from Garden Beds

1. Plant bulbs inside wire cages or cover with hardware cloth
2. Mix bone meal with cayenne pepper when planting bulbs
3. Interplant vulnerable species with squirrel-repelling plants
4. Mulch with materials squirrels dislike – rough-textured mulch, pine cones, or gravel
5. Apply repellent sprays after rain or every 1-2 weeks

How to Repel Squirrels from Attics

If squirrels have made it into your attic, you need a different approach:

1. First, make sure it’s actually squirrels in the attic – different wildlife requires different removal techniques
2. Find and seal entry points after ensuring no animals are trapped inside
3. Install one-way exclusion doors so squirrels can leave but not return
4. Apply repellents near entry points after sealing
5. Trim tree branches at least 8-10 feet from your roof

For attic invasions, we recommend professional help. These situations often involve mothers with babies, and humane squirrel removal is important.

What Doesn’t Work to Repel Squirrels

We’ve seen folks in The Woodlands try some methods that just waste time and money:

• Stationary owl decoys (unless moved daily)
• Unattended ultrasonic devices (they work better with other methods)
• Single application of repellents (consistency is key)
• Random noise makers (squirrels adapt quickly)
• Moth balls (toxic and ineffective outdoors)

When to Call the Professionals

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, squirrel problems persist. Consider professional help when:

• You have a large squirrel population
• Squirrels have entered your home
• You’ve tried multiple repellents without success
• You notice property damage
• You don’t have time to consistently apply and monitor repellents

Professional wildlife removal services use integrated approaches that combine exclusion, habitat modification, and targeted repellents for lasting results.

The Bottom Line on Squirrel Repellents

No single method will solve all squirrel problems. The most successful approach combines:

1. Multiple repellent types (scent, taste, physical barriers)
2. Consistent application
3. Rotating methods to prevent adaptation
4. Removing attractants like fallen nuts and seeds
5. Creating habitat barriers between woodland areas and your yard

For residents in the Greater Houston area dealing with persistent squirrel problems, we’re happy to provide a thorough inspection of your property to develop a customized solution.