Have you ever spent countless hours tending to your yard or garden, only to have it destroyed by pesky little critters? Squirrels and chipmunks may be cute, but their love for digging and burrowing can wreak havoc on your landscaping. Luckily, there are ways to deter these adorable yard pests from demolishing the fruits of your labor. One effective method is through the power of scents. Keep reading to discover 11 smells that squirrels and chipmunks absolutely hate!
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Discover 11 Smells That Squirrels and Chipmunks Absolutely Hate: Overview
Squirrels and chipmunks belong to the family Sciuridae, in the order of Rodentia, commonly called rodents. There are four categories of scents that these pesky mammals find offputting:
- Predator scents: Squirrels and chipmunks are prey animals, so the scent of predators can be very effective in dissuading them.
- Strong scents: Strong scents like cayenne pepper, vinegar, or ammonia can be used to discourage squirrels and chipmunks.
- Citrus scents: The smell of citrus is unpleasant to squirrels and chipmunks.
- Plant deterrents: Certain plants like marigolds, alliums, lemon balm, and paperwhites have strong scents that can be offputting to squirrels and chipmunks.
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List of 11 Undesirable Scents
There is no definitive list of the scents that squirrels and chipmunks dislike. Individual animals can have different preferences and sensitivities. However, here are some scents that are commonly used as natural deterrents for rodents:
- Predator Urine
- Peppermint
- Cayenne pepper
- Garlic
- Eucalyptus
- Castor oil
- Lavender
- Rosemary
- Citronella
- Lemon
- Pine
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Methods
Scents can be used in various forms, such as sprays, sachets, and oils, to create a barrier or mask the scent of attractive food sources. There are a few different ways to employ scents as deterrents for squirrels and chipmunks in your yard and garden. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and overrun by these common yard pests, try:
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- Predator urine: Predator urine is available at garden centers and farm co-ops. Apply the scent around the perimeter of your garden or on the plants that you wish to protect.
- Peppermint: Peppermint oil has a strong scent that can be used to discourage squirrels and chipmunks. Soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them around the garden or near the plants you want to protect. Alternatively, you can spray a mixture of water and peppermint oil on the plants or around the perimeter of the garden.
- Cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper has a strong spicy scent that can be unpleasant for squirrels and chipmunks. You can sprinkle cayenne pepper powder around the plants or mix it with water to create a spray that can be sprayed directly onto the plant’s leaves.
- Garlic: Crushed garlic cloves or garlic oil can be used to create a strong scent that inhibits squirrels and chipmunks. Mix garlic oil with water and spray it around the garden or near the plants you want to protect.
- Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus oil has a strong scent that can be used to keep squirrels and chipmunks at bay. Soak cotton balls in eucalyptus oil and place them around the garden or near the plants you want to protect.
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Still More Methods
- Castor oil: Castor oil has a strong smell that can be unpleasant for squirrels and chipmunks. Mix castor oil with water and spray it around the garden or near the plants you want to protect.
- Lavender: Lavender oil has a pleasant smell for humans but can be unpleasant for squirrels and chipmunks. Soak cotton balls in lavender oil and place them around the garden or near the plants you want to protect.
- Rosemary: Rosemary has a strong scent that can be used to hamper squirrels and chipmunks. Make sachets from crushed fresh rosemary leaves, or mix rosemary oil with water to create a spray.
- Citronella: Citronella oil has a strong scent that can be used to dissuade squirrels and chipmunks. Soak cotton balls in citronella oil and place them around the garden or near the plants you want to protect.
- Lemon: Lemon juice or lemon essential oil can be used to create a strong scent that discourages squirrels and chipmunks. Mix lemon juice or oil with water and spray it around the garden or near the plants you want to protect.
- Pine: Pine needles or pine essential oil have a strong scent that can be used to deter squirrels and chipmunks. Spread pine needles around the plants or mix pine oil with water to create a spray.
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Discover 11 Smells That Squirrels and Chipmunks Absolutely Hate: Other Solutions
Whether you’re planting types of plants that squirrels and chipmunks find offensive or using natural sprays or essential oils with scents that these animals find unpleasant, it’s important to note that while scents can be effective in discouraging these animals, they are not foolproof solutions. If you’re dealing with a serious infestation, it may be necessary to employ additional measures such as physical barriers or traps. While these natural scents may help deter rodents, they may not be effective in all situations, and other methods may be required to manage rodent populations effectively.
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