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Top Squirrel Repellents for Your Yard and Car
Having squirrels around your backyard is never the best thing for any homeowner. Not only do they damage your garden, but they can also boost the chances of tapeworms or rabies for your pets. (1)(2)
Common signs of squirrel infestation include droppings in the garage and clicking/scratching/rustling sounds in the attic, so if you notice these, consider a repellent.
Compared to traps, poison or other unethical methods, there's no doubt that repellents are the most effective way to get rid of squirrels.
Best Under-Hood Repeller: Angveirt
Angveirt is a company that doesn’t disappoint when it comes to keeping away destructive critters from your property.
Like the battery-operated repellent, this underhood animal repeller emits flashlights and ultrasonic waves. It operates using wave frequencies of between 25 kHz and 55 kHz. These two features play a role in disrupting the quiet and darkness that rodents prefer.
As the name suggests, this product works best when installing it below the hood of your vehicle, preferably closer to areas where the rodents are most active.
Since the battery is chargeable, you can charge it once using your car battery, and it’ll last the whole month.
This device only works when the car isn’t in motion and when there’s no vibration.
Pros
Doesn’t run your battery down
Easy installation
Zip ties included for secure installation
Cons
Installation wires are a bit short
May not work for all rodents
Only works in the engine compartment
Best Solar Ultrasonic Repeller: Broox Motion Detection Led Flashing Light
This solar ultrasonic equipment is one of the most recommended in this category of the best squirrel repellent options.
It keeps unwanted squirrels away from your property by emitting ultrasonic sound, a loud alarm and a LED flashing light The ultrasonic waves are in the 13.5kHz-45.5kHz range—such a range is irritating to rodents while the low end is noiseless to humans.
It is easy to install, waterproof against normal rain, and it is solar-powered. It does come with 3x rechargeable batteries that can be charged with a USB cord.
The Broox has 10 degrees of infrared sensor angel and can detect sizable animals from 20-25 feet. For squirrels, you need to choose Frequency #2 which is 19.5-24.5 KHZ. This range repels animals such as cats, raccoons, squirrels, badgers, skunks.
Pros
Very easy installation
Loud enough to deter rodents from far-off
Noiseless
Long-lasting effects
Cons
The lights don’t deter some rodents
This cannot be placed near a road or street as passing cars may activate it
The manufacturer recommends 2 weeks to see desired effects from their product
Not sure if it can withstand very heavy rains. A quick fix that works is to secure it with a ziploc bag as an extra measure.
Most Humane Mouse Trap Substitute: Mighty Mint
Most squirrels are repelled by the smell of peppermint and peppermint oil. Pleasing for our human noses, squirrels hate the smell of it. The strong scent of peppermint overwhelms their sensitive sense of smell so most squirrels and other rodents like mice give it a wide berth.
Its characteristic fragrance that comes from blending the highest quality of tested ingredients. The manufacturers source these ingredients only from plants and essential oils in their natural form.
You can use this spray can anywhere around the home, such as the basement, kitchen, attic or inside the closet.
Another reason for its popularity is that it’s pretty easy to use as it has an easy trigger, and doesn’t clog.
If you have a pet in your home, you don’t need to worry, as Mighty Mint is animal-friendly.
Pros
Mild and pleasant scent
Safe for the whole family
Performance and quality are worth the price
Gets rid of rodents around the home
Cons
Only effective when in constant use
Won’t work on thug (super aggressive) squirrels
Best Squirrel Spray: I Must Garden Squirrel Repellent
Our second go-to repellent spray for squirrels is the “I must garden” repellent. Unlike Mighty Minty that blanket repels most rodents, this brand prefers to make custom tailored formulations for each specific pest. Their other variants include deer, rabbit, mole, groundhog, ant, and even snake repellents. So squirrel problem? Get the squirrel repellent.
While Mighty Minty smells pepperminty, this one has more of a new car smell. It grows on you. In the beginning, you’d have to spray once a day in order to train your squirrels to realize that they can’t chomp on your precious plants again. Once they’ve learned to keep away and moved on to other places, you can keep the spraying to a weekly schedule.
Remember to re-spray after a rain shower.
Pros
Protects plants, wires in your home and car, outdoor furniture, and more
Non-toxic and safe to use; safe to spray on plants and trees
Safe for pets and pollinators
Won’t damage surfaces
Doesn’t smell bad; smells like new car
Also comes in granular form if you want to deter squirrels from digging up your lawn
Cons
Generally works for squirrels, but some squirrels are not bothered by it
Most Effective Blood-Based Spray: Plantskydd
This spray imitates the scents of predators and enemies, thus keeping squirrels away from your garden. Once sprayed, the Plantskydd repellent maintains its effectiveness for up to six months.
It also contains a non-toxic, organic formula with zero adverse effects on plants—the main ingredients include water, vegetable oil and dried blood.
Aside from squirrels, it also repels other herbivores, such as chipmunks, hares, moose, elk and rabbits.
The best time to use this product is during the active growing season, right before the start of animal browsing.
It effectively covers a plantation of about 100 1-foot-high fruit and vegetables and is friendly to pollinators and works well on flowers.
Pros
Usable on edible crops
Withstands various weather conditions to offer all-year protection
Doesn’t harm nearby vegetation
Worth the price
Cons
Leaves red stains on plants
Leaves a pungent smell for hours after spray
Turns into a gummy gel when not used up completely
Best Spike Deterrent Mat: Cat Scat Mat
This product is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Should you use it outside, this deterrent mat is perfect for protecting your vegetable patches, flower beds, lawns and all other valuable assets.
Widely distributed in the local market, it’s only available in black and is made of only high-quality PP material.
You might think the mat to be limited in terms of its measurement—78.7 by 11.8 inches—but it's extendable through seamless buckle-stitching.
It comes in a roll-package weighing 13.6 ounces—0.85pounds—which is quite light compared to other deterrent mats.
We particularly like the spikes, which effectively deter squirrels and other animals that may wreak havoc on your property.
Besides using it to protect your flower beds and vegetable patches, you can also wrap the mat around your furniture to act as a small, protective fence.
Pros
Excellent track record of deterring squirrels and most other small animals
Eco-friendly
Easy to set up and use
Very strong, high-quality and rust-free material
Cons
Verified buyers place it on the pricier side
Needs securing to prevent curling
Our Pick
As you can see, effectiveness, easy installation and affordability are key factors in determining the most appropriate repellent.
For us, the best squirrel repellent overall is the Scat Mat Pest Repellent Spike Deterrent Mat due to its effortless ingenuity.
The Plantskydd Animal Repellent is the most convenient alternative when it comes to keeping away squirrels and rodents in general from your garden.
But if you need the best squirrel repellent for your vehicle, the Rodent Vehicle Natural Repellent for Cars, Trucks, SUVs is the ideal option.
In general, pick a repellent that’s easy to install and use, and is effective enough to suit your needs.
How Does the Best Squirrel Repellent Work?
Based on research by experts from the University of Florida, repellents work based on two mechanics: fear inducement and taste/odor aversion. (4)
Some of the ingredients that create a taste and odor aversion include castor oil, garlic, peppermint and essential oils.
Fear-inducement repellents have animal origin ingredients as their main components. These include the hair, dried blood and urine of their natural enemies.
Most companies manufacture animal repellents using different ingredients but with pretty similar effects.
Benefits of Using Squirrel Repellents
Repellents are the most humane and safest way to keep squirrels away. Aside from that, these are the reasons to use squirrel repellents more often:
Eco-Friendly
Using repellents to get rid of squirrels won’t affect pets, humans or plant cover. They’re even more friendly to the environment because of their biodegradable nature.
Long-Lasting
Unlike mosquito repellents, you don’t need to use squirrel repellents more often for them to take effect—when you use them four times in a year, it’s all you need for maximum effectiveness.
From our list of the best squirrel repellents, only a select few need constant use for them to serve their purpose. With such convenience, you’ll also save a great deal on professional pest control services.
Keeps Off Other Rodents
The name ‘best squirrel repellent’ doesn’t mean it is only best for keeping squirrels away. These products keep off other rodents, such as rabbits, rats and deer.
Easy to Use
It doesn’t take much to use to administer squirrel repellents. All that’s required is to sprinkle or spray them in areas where squirrels frequent.
No Effect on Human Health
Aside from being quick and easy to use, they’re also very safe. Anyone can administer them without the thought of health complications or other adverse side-effects.
What Are the Various Kinds of Squirrel Repellents?
Natural Repellents
These repellents are of plant origin, which work by taste or odor aversion. Some of the common plant ingredients are hyacinth, geranium, narcissus bulb and peppermint.
You can either grow these herbs or buy ready-made sprays online or in regular stores. The pre-mixed, ready-made sprays may contain extra ingredients, such as pepper, tarragon, garlic, castor oils and alternative essential oils.
Chemical Repellents
A general rule used in making this type of repellent is that squirrels—or any rodent, for that matter—won’t stick around where there’s a feel or smell of their predators.
These products contain predator urine, blood traces or even feather meal as their active components. When combined, these ingredients are enough to scare away rodents of all sizes.
Electronic Repellents
Rodents find electronic repellents downright unbearable because of the high-frequency sound waves they emit.
Since ultrasound waves can’t pass through tough surfaces, rid your garden of debris. Soft surfaces can also absorb these waves, so ensure there’s no spare furniture around before activating your electronic repellent.
Fear Inducement Devices
These devices share the likeness of a scarecrow. They have an intimidating appearance with a posture that projects an active hunt. This, coupled with the frightening sounds they emit, is enough to keep off rodents.
These devices are often preferred as a short-term solution since experts are yet to establish their effectiveness.
Things to Keep in Mind When Using Repellants
Catch Them Early
It’s important to take action against these annoying rodents at your earliest convenience. The number one tip of using repellents is to apply them when you notice a single squirrel around your property.
Don’t Rely Heavily on One Type of Repellent
Did you know that squirrels can get accustomed to repellents? For that reason, it’s important to use them one after another or interchange them. It may be stressful for you, but it’s the only way to keep them off your property.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
Take great care to follow all the preventative measures to the letter. This may include sealing possible food sources, disposing of garbage, installing metallic or plastic structures.
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