Don’t let the twitching whiskers and bushy tails fool you. Squirrels might be super cute, but if left unchecked, they are capable of doing an impressive amount of damage. And while there is no easy and quick way to get rid of these pests, there are several things you can do to shoo away these rodents.
There are several species of squirrels, but tree squirrels are the most common nuisance for homeowners like yourself because they love to break into your attic or garage and cause damage.
Squirrels have been known to short out electrical power transformers due to their activities around power lines. They also like to chew on things, they will chew on just about anything. If you enjoy feeding songbirds in your yard, you can forget about that if there are squirrels in the area. Somehow, no matter what you do or how hard you try, they will find a way to get to the bird food.
Squirrels are populous agile and live high in treetops, making them a challenge to control. By adopting an integrated approach, you can keep them in check and prevent damage. Earthwise Pest Management, your pest control service in Sacramento, offers ways you can keep squirrels in check.
Prune the Trees
You should seriously consider pruning the trees in your yard. A pruned tree means a lot less leverage for squirrels to jump on your roof or on a birdfeeder.
Squirrel Repellent
Sometimes it’s as easy as buying a spry and using it in your yard. There are a few squirrel repellents available on the market. One is a cayenne base, which can be sprinkled around your yard. The squirrels hate it and will stay away.
There is also a urine-based repellent with the scent of predators. Spray this around your yard and it will keep squirrels at bay.
Live Traps
You can buy a few live traps and place them around your yard. You can bait them with just about anything as squirrels aren’t all that picky about what they eat.
You capture the squirrels in the live trap and drive them to the park or space with plenty of trees and set them free.
Mint
While you might enjoy a refreshing stick of mint gum or a box of Junior Mints, squirrels can’t stand the smell or taste of mint. Consider planting some mint in your garden to help keep them out of your yard.
Greenhouse
If squirrels are getting into your garden and wreaking havoc, build a greenhouse. With a greenhouse, you can extend your gardening season and keep the squirrels out.
Mulch
There is something about the texture and smell of mulch that squirrels don’t like. You can put mulch around your yard to help keep the squirrels away.
Chimney Cap
If you do have squirrels running around your yard, it is a good idea to get a chimney cap. It is no fun having to deal with squirrels who come down your chimney.
Clean the Attic
You might have squirrels in your attic if there is stuff in there they want. Take the time to clean out your attic and ensure there is nothing squirrels want to eat or use to make a nest.
Motion Activated Sprinklers
Motion-activated sprinklers are awesome because they repel all sorts of pests, including squirrels, by using a harmless spray of water.
Get A Dog
Get a dog that loves to chase squirrels. You were thinking about getting a pet anyway, so you may as well get one that is useful. Just make sure you don’t get a dog that likes to chase the mailman.
Hide The Food
If you don’t have food in your yard, squirrels are less likely to be a problem. If you have fruit trees, acorn trees or other yummy, food-producing plants in your yard, you are going to have a problem with squirrels.
If you enjoy the fruits of your trees and plants, keep them trimmed and the area around them cleaned up to minimize the squirrel population.
Trash Can
Make sure you have a trash can with a tight lid on it. If the squirrels can’t get to the goodies in your garbage, they will look elsewhere for food.
If none of the above works for you, call Earthwise Pest Management.