Quck answer
Squirrels in trees can be a nuisance, but there are several ways to get rid of them:
1. Trim tree branches: Remove any branches that are close to your house or other structures, as squirrels use them as bridges to access your property.
2. Install squirrel baffles: These devices can be placed around the trunk of the tree to prevent squirrels from climbing up.
3. Use squirrel repellents: There are various repellent sprays and granules available that can deter squirrels from nesting in your trees.
4. Set up traps: Live traps can be used to catch squirrels and then release them in a different location.
5. Call a professional: If the squirrel problem persists, it may be best to contact a professional pest control service to handle the situation.
By implementing these methods, you can effectively get rid of squirrels in trees and prevent further damage to your property.
While some people enjoy the sight of squirrels prancing around their yard, others are aware of the harm these furry creatures can cause. Squirrels can cause damage to your garden by eating your vegetables and fruit trees, digging up flower bulbs, gnawing on wooden furniture, and creating holes in your well-manicured lawn to bury food for the winter. It may be unrealistic to keep squirrels out of every tree in your yard, but you can make your property less inviting to reduce the number of squirrel visitors.
Avoid Feeding Squirrels
If you want to eliminate squirrels, you may not have a squirrel feeder in your yard, but there could be other sources of food that are attracting these critters. Bird feeders are attractive to squirrels because they provide a free source of food. Even if you take measures to keep squirrels away from your bird feeders, there may be seeds on the ground that make an ideal squirrel snack. Consider removing the bird feeder or cleaning up the seeds underneath regularly to eliminate the food source for the squirrels.
Certain trees that grow in your yard can also attract squirrels as they eat nuts and fruits that grow on trees. Short of removing the tree, it’s difficult to remove this food source. However, it’s a good idea to regularly clean up the food sources that fall from the tree.
Grow Unappealing Plants
If you’re worried about protecting your plants from squirrels, changing what you plant could help. Incorporate plants that squirrels don’t like in your flower garden or around your vegetable garden to deter them from your yard. You can also plant these squirrel-repelling flowers along your property line or near the trees you want to protect from squirrels. Some options include daffodils (Narcissus), grape hyacinths (Muscari), and snowdrops (Galanthus). Squirrels also dislike peppermint (Mentha x piperita), so plant it in places where you want to discourage squirrels.
Install Squirrel Baffles
Making your yard less appealing to squirrels to discourage them from coming near can be helpful, but some squirrels will still manage to slip through and reach your trees. When damage is most likely, wrap a 2-foot-high section of sheet metal around the trunk of the tree at 6 feet high. The metal makes it impossible for squirrels to climb up the trunk, but they can still jump to the tree from other trees or utility lines. Leaving the metal on the tree for an extended period can promote insect damage or sun scald, so use this option temporarily.
Use Squirrel Repellents
Temporarily spraying or sprinkling substances that repel squirrels around your trees can be helpful. Capsaicin in peppers is one example. You can use a variety of forms of peppers, including cayenne pepper powder and pepper flakes, that you can sprinkle in strategic areas to repel squirrels. You can also find commercial squirrel repellents that contain capsaicin. You’ll need to reapply these products frequently, especially after it rains.
Keep Critters Away with Dogs
To deter wildlife from your garden, it’s a good idea to let your dogs spend time in the yard, weather permitting. The barking and chasing will scare off squirrels and other critters. If you don’t have a dog, you can still use dog hair from grooming sessions or ask a fellow dog owner for some. Sprinkle the hair in areas where you don’t want squirrels to hang around.