Tired of watching squirrels and chipmunks feast on your garden? These furry pests may be cute, but they can quickly destroy your hard work.
Nature has a solution: scent. Studies show that predator odors, like red fox scent, can reduce squirrel activity. But you don’t need to rely on that alone—common household items and plants can also do the trick. Here are 13 natural scents that will send these critters running.
1. Peppermint
The refreshing aroma of peppermint may be pleasant to humans, but it’s a powerful deterrent for squirrels and chipmunks. The strong menthol scent overwhelms their sensitive noses, making them clear of areas where it’s present.
To use peppermint as a repellent, mix a few drops of peppermint essential oil with water in a spray bottle and apply it around your garden, focusing on problem areas. Alternatively, you can plant peppermint around the perimeter of your yard to create a natural barrier.
Just be cautious, as peppermint can spread quickly and become invasive if not contained properly.
2. Cayenne Pepper
Sprinkling cayenne pepper around garden beds can effectively deter squirrels and chipmunks. The spicy capsaicin irritates their eyes, noses, and mouths, discouraging them from entering your yard.
Reapply after rain or watering to maintain its potency. For targeted plants, make a spicy spray by mixing cayenne with water and a few drops of dish soap. Spraying this on vulnerable plants adds an extra layer of protection, as the unpleasant taste keeps rodents from nibbling on your vegetation.
3. Garlic
The strong aroma of garlic is highly effective at repelling squirrels and chipmunks. Planting garlic bulbs around your garden not only adds flavor for cooking but also creates a natural barrier, as its scent permeates the soil and air, discouraging rodents.
For targeted protection, blend garlic cloves with water, strain the mixture, and spray it around areas where rodents are active. Reapply every few days or after rain to keep the repellent effective.
4. Predator Urine
Using predator urine is an effective way to deter squirrels and chipmunks, as their keen sense of smell detects the presence of potential threats. Scents from predators like foxes or coyotes can trigger an instinctual fear, making your yard seem unsafe.
Predator urine granules or sprays are available at garden stores and online. Apply around the yard’s perimeter and near vulnerable plants, reapplying every few weeks or after heavy rain to keep the scent potent and maintain its deterrent effect.
5. Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds offer a double benefit: their strong, bitter aroma deters squirrels and chipmunks, and they act as a nutrient-rich fertilizer for your plants. Sprinkle used grounds around garden beds, especially in areas where rodents have been active.
For an extra deterrent, make a coffee spray by steeping used grounds in hot water, cooling, and straining. Spray this solution directly onto plants and soil to maintain a lingering scent that keeps these pests away from your garden.
6. Cinnamon
The warm, spicy scent of cinnamon is highly unpleasant to squirrels and chipmunks. Sprinkle ground cinnamon around garden beds, particularly where rodent activity is noticeable, to deter digging and nibbling.
For a more potent effect, mix ground cinnamon with water and a few drops of dish soap to create a cinnamon spray. Shake well and apply directly to plants and soil, reapplying every few days or after rain for continued effectiveness.
7. Vinegar
Vinegar’s sharp, acidic scent is a strong deterrent for squirrels and chipmunks. To create a repellent spray, mix water and white vinegar in a spray bottle and apply it around garden areas with frequent rodent activity.
Alternatively, soak cotton balls in vinegar and place them strategically throughout your garden. Replace the cotton balls every few days to keep the scent fresh and effective, keeping unwanted visitors at bay.
8. Marigolds
Marigolds are more than just vibrant blooms; they act as natural pest deterrents. Squirrels and chipmunks find their pungent aroma unpleasant, making marigolds an effective barrier when planted around your garden’s perimeter or among other plants.
The leaves produce terpenes, an oil that emits an odor rodents avoid. Additionally, marigolds repel other garden pests like aphids and nematodes, making them a multifunctional asset to any garden space.
9. Lavender
Lavender’s soothing scent is a delightful addition to gardens for humans but a natural deterrent for squirrels and chipmunks. Planting lavender around garden beds creates an aromatic barrier that discourages these rodents from entering.
For extra protection, make a lavender spray by mixing lavender essential oil with water and applying it to areas frequented by squirrels and chipmunks. The persistent scent helps keep these animals at bay, adding both beauty and function to your garden.
10. Eucalyptus
The crisp, menthol aroma of eucalyptus effectively deters squirrels and chipmunks. Planting eucalyptus trees or shrubs around your yard provides a natural barrier, as the growing plants release scents that these rodents avoid.
To enhance protection, make a eucalyptus spray by mixing eucalyptus essential oil with water and applying it to areas with rodent activity. This refreshing scent discourages squirrels and chipmunks, helping to keep your garden rodent-free.
11. Citrus
The bright, tangy scent of citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges naturally repels squirrels and chipmunks. Scatter citrus peels around garden beds, concentrating on spots with rodent activity; as they decompose, they release a potent aroma that these pests avoid.
For added effect, mix lemon, orange, or lime essential oils with water to create a citrus spray. Apply it in areas where squirrels and chipmunks frequently roam. This fresh, zesty barrier will help keep them out of your garden.
12. Onions
The pungent scent of onions is highly effective in deterring squirrels and chipmunks. Planting onions around your garden not only enhances your culinary options but also serves as a natural barrier against these pests.
For targeted protection, create an onion spray by blending onions with water and straining the mixture. Apply this potent solution in areas frequented by rodents. The strong, lingering aroma will discourage them from entering your garden.
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.