Squirrels are cute, mischievous, and an incredibly frustrating pest. The creatures’ cute little antics have a way of destroying the yard and scaring off the other animals. The following guide will help you get rid of squirrels in your yard.
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Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders
Unfortunately, squirrels can eat the same nuts and seeds that birds eat, which means that your bird feeder becomes the source of a tasty snack to your yard’s squirrel population. A squirrel proof bird feeder will allow you to enjoy the birds without feeding the squirrels. To rid your yard of squirrels, you should remove every bird feeder that is not squirrel proof.
Cut off their Food Source
Squirrels are hungry little creatures and they will travel to wherever the food is located. You can effectively get rid of squirrels by cutting off their food supply. One of the best ways to do this is to avoid placing accessible garbage in your yard. This means purchasing a large locking trashcan so that the squirrels cannot access the food. If you do not have a locking trashcan and cannot purchase one, than keep your garbage in the garage until trash day.
Pet food is another source of food for the squirrels. If you have an outdoor animal, you may want to bring them inside to feed them. Leaving pet food in your yard or near your house encourages squirrels to live there.
It is also important to clean up any bird feeder spills. Squirrels will eat the leftovers that the birds drop on the ground after eating at the feeder. Raking these up and throwing them away will reduce the squirrel’s food source.
Live Traps
One of the most effective ways to rid your yard of squirrels is to purchase a live trap. These traps are reusable, so a single trap will help you get rid of all the squirrels in your yard. To use the trap, you will need to place some bait inside of it. The best bait for squirrels is usually corn or peanut butter. The trap will automatically close when the squirrel gets inside of it.
Once you have trapped a squirrel, you will need to take it somewhere to set it free. The best way to ensure that the squirrel does not return to your yard is to set it free at least a mile away from your home. Simply trapping the squirrel and freeing it at the edge of your property will not prevent it from returning. Squirrels are intelligent and they can find their way back to the source of their food.
Repel Them
It is possible to repel squirrels through the use of two types of squirrel repellent. The first type is created with spicy hot peppers. The spicy pepper repellent should be placed on every surface that the squirrel may come in contact with. Unfortunately, this method is not recommended for individuals who have domesticated animals. The spicy pepper repellent will need to be replaced frequently to remain effective.
The other type of repellent for squirrels can be purchased at a home improvement store and is created from predator urine. The urine of an animal that usually hunts and kills the squirrels will help keep them away. After all, they do not want to risk their lives for some food.
Conclusion
There are many ways to get rid of squirrels in your yard, but the best methods are to remove the food source and use a live trap. Squirrels are intelligent and can usually find food sources no matter what you do. If your yard’s squirrel population really becomes a problem, eliminate the food sources and then start trapping.
