It’s important to remember that polybutenes are chemical substances. In addition to the messiness, polybutenes have shown little effectiveness in repelling squirrels. Application of polybutenes may not be easy. Just as this material is sticky for squirrels, it can be sticky for humans. As they walk across the material, their feet may become stuck, which could cause so much irritation that they don’t return. Polybutenes create a sticky lubricant that can deter squirrels from scaling railings and buildings. And be aware that hot sauce can cause severe damage to your property therefore, we recommend avoiding DIY methods like using hot sauce as squirrel repellent Adhesive Materials: Polybutenes Effects vary from animal to animal, so there is no guarantee that hot sauce will work as a squirrel deterrent. Rather, squirrels may associate the burning sensation with the location in your home and be less likely to return.

Contrary to popular belief, hot sauce does not act as a squirrel killer. By applying hot sauce around infested areas, squirrels may ingest it. Like humans, squirrels can also experience these effects. In particular, it causes a burning sensation in the back of your throat. Hot sauce contains capsaicin, a substance that causes irritation when ingested. Read below to see what tricks they’ve tried and what we recommend as an effective solution. There are several tactics people have used to help keep squirrels off their property. Even worse, they loudly race across our roofs and can find themselves trapped in our attics and walls. As they leap from branches and climb up trees, they often carry our garden’s most prized possessions - crops. They forage in our yards and sneak into our homes when they are not welcome. While this was going on, I tossed mothballs down the ground squirrel holes, also advised by Beeman, to encourage them to relocate away from the area.Squirrels are pesky rodents. Backyard squirrels are fox squirrels, which may be more sensitive to vinegar than ground squirrels.įinally, on the advice of Gary Beeman, a Lafayette biologist and expert in solving wildlife problems, garden volunteers installed special new fencing to keep the squirrels out of the garden. This may be a case of something working on individual squirrels, but not on a whole colony. Apple cider vinegar: Several readers recommended spraying vinegar around potted plants to keep squirrels from digging in them.As you probably guessed, it didn’t work, either. Results: Yes, it says only rabbits and deer, but I was desperate at this point. Other ingredients, water, xanthan gum Apply liberally to plants and their perimeter. Liquid Fence Deer & Rabbit Repellent: Repels deer and rabbits.Īctive ingredients: Putrescent egg solids, garlic, sodium lauryl sulfate, potassium sorbate.(I just sprayed a two-foot wide area around all the plots.) Inert ingredients, xanthan gum, water Directions: Apply a fine mist to plants that need protecting. Messina Wildlife’s Squirrel Stopper: Used for squirrels.Īctive ingredients: Putrescent whole egg solids, mint oil, cinnamon oil, rosemary oil, others.Or maybe city ground squirrels don’t know what a fox is. Results: Fox urine doesn’t seem to bother them. Shake-Away Fox Urine Granules: Can be used for small creatures - rabbits, gophers, groundhogs, possums, porcupines and woodchucks.ĭirections: Apply only to perimeter of where food plants are grown.Results: Ground squirrels apparently like the smell of mint. Inert ingredients, calcium carbonate, urea, water Directions: Apply granules in and around areas where animals are causing damage, or in areas you want to protect. Shake-Away Rodent Repellent Granules: Can be used for rodents, mice, rats, voles, shrews, squirrels and chipmunks.Īctive ingredients: Mint oil.Directions: Sprinkle a band, six to eight inches wide next to and around the area you wish protected.

Squirrel repellent