Squirrels are one of North America’s most commonly seen animals, and behind those fluffy tails and bushy ears lies a mischievous little brain always looking for its next meal. If you have a garden, chances are, you’ve also had the displeasure of finding your fruits, vegetables, and flowers chewed up by these furry critters. Squirrels are also well known for their antics, raiding bird feeders, and digging through trash cans in search of a snack.
While these rodents are generally shy around humans, they can become quite bold if they think there’s found around. In urban areas, squirrels have been accustomed to humans and will often approach people hoping to get food.
While there are many squirrel deterrents on the market, aluminum foil is one of the most commonly used. But does aluminum foil actually deter squirrels? Let’s look at the science behind this popular method to see if it works.
Does Aluminum Foil Deter Squirrels?
What does aluminum foil have to do with squirrels? It turns out quite a lot. First, aluminum foil is a good squirrel deterrent because they can’t stand the way the foil feels on their paws and teeth.
Remember when you took a bite out of a candy wrapped in foil, then cringed at the metallic taste? Squirrels feel the same way but magnified.
To a squirrel, aluminum foil feels like razor blades or needles digging into their skin. It’s an unpleasant sensation that they will do anything to avoid. In fact, just the smell of aluminum is enough to deter some squirrels.
Additionally, the foil’s shiny surface reflects light, which confuses and startles them. They aren’t sure what they’re looking at, and the reflection makes them nervous.
One of the best things about aluminum foil is that it helps keep squirrels out of your yard without causing them any harm. It’s a safe, non-toxic way to keep these pesky critters away from your garden, bird feeder, or trash can.
How to Use Aluminum Foil as a Squirrel Repellent
Using aluminum foil as a squirrel repellent is pretty straightforward.
You can cut the foil into strips and add it to your garden mulch. Remember that rodents and similar creatures hate the aluminum foil’s sensation in between their teeth, so be sure to add enough foil strips that they’ll be able to feel it. Once they get to taste of what’s in store for them, they’ll stay away.
Alternatively, if squirrels like to munch on your tree bark, you can wrap the tree trunk in foil. This will also work for any fruit trees you might have. It’s a simple, affordable, yet effective way to keep these furry creatures away from your property.
Other Ways to Keep Squirrels Out of Your Yard
While adding thin foil strips and covering your tree bark with foil are good ways to keep squirrels out of your yard, there are other steps you can take to further deter these critters. Here are some other ways you can try:
Grease Up Poles with Petroleum Jelly
Do squirrels keep climbing up your bird feeder? If so, you can put a stop to it by smearing some petroleum jelly around the pole. The same goes for any trees or poles in your yard. Simply, the slippery surface will make it hard for them to climb, and they’ll eventually give up and look for an easier meal elsewhere. You may need to reapply this once in a while, especially when it rains.
Use a Hot Pepper Solution
This is a simple DIY solution that’s also effective. All you need is a spray bottle, some water, and hot pepper flakes. You can also add some hot sauce to the solution. Mix these ingredients together, then spray the solution on areas where you think squirrels might be getting in, such as garden borders, trees, or fences.
The hot pepper will discourage them from coming back because it’s an irritant to their eyes, nose, and skin. You can also make a larger batch of this solution and pour it into a shallow dish. The strong smell will keep them away, but it won’t harm them in any way.
Plant Mint Around Your Yard
Mint leaves smell so heavenly to us humans, but to squirrels, the smell is overwhelming and makes them want to stay away. You can plant mint around your yard as a natural way to keep these critters at bay.
Just be warned that mint can spread quickly, so you’ll need to keep an eye on it and trim it regularly. But if you don’t mind a bit of extra work, mint is a great way to keep your yard squirrel-free.
Set Up a Motion-Activated Sprinkler
This is a great way to keep squirrels, as well as other critters, out of your yard. Motion-activated sprinklers are readily available at most hardware stores. When they sense movement, they’ll turn on and start spraying water. The sudden noise and movement will scare away any squirrels (or deer, rabbits, raccoons, etc.) that are lurking around.
Final Thoughts
Who knew that a simple aluminum foil trick could be so effective in deterring squirrels? If you’re looking for a safe, humane way to keep these critters out of your yard, give aluminum foil a try. You may just be surprised at how well it works. You can also combine this method with any of the above solutions we’ve mentioned.v