Are squirrels invading your property and causing trouble? These bushy-tailed rodents can be a nuisance, and their constant foraging can damage your garden, eat up bird feed, and even chew on wires in your home. If you want to prevent squirrels from wreaking havoc on your property, there are a few things you can do. In this article, we’ll provide you with tips and tricks on how to keep squirrels at bay.
Understanding Squirrels
Before we dive into prevention tips, let’s take a quick look at squirrels. Squirrels are small to medium-sized rodents that are active during the day. There are many different species of squirrels, but the most common in North America are gray squirrels and red squirrels. Squirrels are omnivores, and they will eat anything from nuts and seeds to insects and small animals. Squirrels are very adaptable creatures, and they can live in a variety of habitats, including forests, parks, and even in urban areas.
Why Prevent Squirrels?
While squirrels can be cute and entertaining to watch, they can also cause significant damage to your property. Here are some reasons why you might want to prevent squirrels:
- Squirrels can damage your garden by digging up bulbs and eating fruits and vegetables.
- Squirrels can eat bird feed and scare away birds.
- Squirrels can chew on wires and cause damage to your home’s electrical system.
- Squirrels can carry diseases that can be harmful to humans and pets.
Prevention Tips
Now that we understand the risks of having squirrels on our property let’s take a look at some prevention tips:
1. Remove Food Sources
The first step in preventing squirrels is to remove any food sources from your property. This means keeping bird feeders out of reach, cleaning up fallen nuts and seeds, and securing your trash cans.
2. Install Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders
If you want to feed birds but don’t want to attract squirrels, consider investing in a squirrel-proof bird feeder. These feeders are designed to keep squirrels out while allowing birds to feed freely.
3. Use Squirrel Repellents
There are many squirrel repellents available on the market, including sprays, granules, and electronic devices. These products work by emitting odors or sounds that squirrels find unpleasant.
4. Block Entry Points
Squirrels can enter your home through small gaps and holes. To prevent this, make sure to seal any openings in your home’s exterior.
5. Use Traps
If you have a persistent squirrel problem, you may want to consider using traps. Live traps are humane and allow you to release the squirrels back into the wild.
6. Hire a Professional
If you’ve tried all the above methods and still have a squirrel problem, it may be time to hire a professional. Pest control companies have experience dealing with squirrels and can help you come up with a solution that works for your specific situation.
Squirrels can be a nuisance, but with the right prevention methods, you can keep them at bay. By removing food sources, using squirrel-proof bird feeders, using repellents, blocking entry points, using traps, or hiring a professional, you can prevent squirrels from causing damage to your property and creating a disturbance.
