I've been dealing with a serious squirrel problem this year, and they're absolutely ravaging my pumpkins! I'm looking for effective ways to deter them. I thought about using something like vinegar or Windex to make the pumpkins taste bad. But before I go down that road, I want to see if anyone here has better suggestions or experiences with this issue!
6 Answers
You could also try out some surströmming! It’s a fermented herring that has the worst smell, but supposedly squirrels can't resist it. Just smear it on your pumpkins and watch the chaos! Only thing, maybe not the best idea if you have neighbors nearby.
I found that putting a cage around my pumpkins worked wonders! It kept those little critters from getting to them at all. You might want to give it a shot if you're serious about protecting them.
A while back, I heard about using an old rag. Just soak it in pepper spray, let it air out for a bit, and then place it where you don't want squirrels. The strong smell might scare them off! Although I've never tried it, it seems logical that strong odors would help.
Sprinkling hot chili flakes around the areas where squirrels are digging or nesting can really help. Just remember to reapply after it rains! We also used chili oil on our fence to keep rats away, and believe it or not, it keeps the neighbor’s pets at bay too!
Have you tried using capsaicin? It's a natural deterrent that can keep squirrels away. It doesn't bother birds, so they can still enjoy your garden without any issues!
That's a great idea! I might just give that a try since I like having birds around.
Sonic devices have worked really well for us. They were trying to nest in our porch ceiling, but with the sonic deterrents, they got the hint! Just a heads up, we're planning to pest-proof that area soon, so good luck with your pumpkins!
Haha, that's awesome! I can't nest on my porch either, but I think there's a whole squirrel community living in the tree out front!
Definitely not HOA-approved, haha! And I can only imagine how bad that would stink.