Will Vinegar Keep Squirrels Away?

Smells That Squirrels Dislike

• Vinegar smells strongly, and squirrels have extremely sensitive noses. It smells worse to them than it does to us. Vinegar applied to solid surfaces remains pungent for several days, even after it dries. Squirrels also find hot peppers and garlic highly offensive.

  Exploit the sensitive nostrils of marauding squirrels by combining these common household materials to create an effective repellent. An added benefit is that many other pests such as deer, skunks, dogs, cats, rabbits and some rodents will avoid areas where you apply it. The bonus is that you can keep squirrels away and maintain chemical-free harmony with the environment.

Concoct Vinegar Squirrel Repellent

• Puree a fresh hot pepper and a fresh garlic clove in a blender. Add 4 cups of white vinegar and 1 tablespoon of powdered cayenne pepper. Puree until smooth. Stir in 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap slowly to avoid excessive frothing of the mixture. The soap will act as a sticker to help the solution adhere to surfaces that you spray the solution on. Strain the squirrel repellent through cheesecloth or a coffee filter. Store it in a tightly capped, labeled jar in the refrigerator

Treat Hard Surfaces

• Hard surfaces can be treated with a spray. Fill an empty plastic spray bottle with some of the vinegar mixture. Spray it on any solid surface where you’ve observed squirrel activity. Apply it to deck rails and steps and to places where squirrels typically gain access to the porch. Spray repellent on flower pots and window boxes.

  Spritz the vinegar solution on the trunks of trees if you find evidence of bark gnawing or stripping. Apply to exposed tree roots to keep squirrels from burrowing under and around them. Repeat vinegar treatments in three to five days, or immediately following rainfall.

Protect Yard and Gardens

• Corn cobs can play a role in repelling squirrels, as well. Enjoy fresh corn for dinner and break the leftover cobs in two. Soak the cobs in a bowl of the vinegar repellent for five to 10 minutes. Scatter them throughout your vegetable or flower garden, under bird feeders, around tree roots and in problem areas of the lawn. Re-soak the cobs a week later and set them out again.

  As a supplement, dip some old rags in the vinegar repellent. Wring them out and staple each to a stick or wood stake like a flag. Poke them into the soil so the flags are positioned no higher than 12 inches above ground. Use them in places where you can’t scatter corn cobs or spray repellent. Repeat in about a week or after it rains.

  Finally, pour some of the vinegar solution into a watering can. Sprinkle the soil between garden plants to discourage squirrels from digging. Take care not to get the mixture on plant stems or foliage as the acid in the vinegar can burn tender varieties. Reapply in several days or right after rain.