7 Smells That Repel Squirrels (Deterrent Strategies)

Squirrels can be pests in your garden by digging up plants, chewing through bark, and destroying the fruits you’ve worked so hard to grow!

Luckily some things smell bad to squirrels and can help to repel them. You can add many plants to your garden to help repel squirrels.

Here’s a list of smells that squirrels hate.  After that, we have some tried and true ways of physically deterring a squirrel.


Plant Smells Squirrels hate

Smells that Deter Squirrels

Squirrels hate strong smells and will stay away from areas that smell strange. Smells are a good way to get rid of squirrels. 

They have really sensitive noses, and the scent of many plants is enough to make them avoid that area of your garden.

A great way to deter squirrels is to plant strong-smelling herbs, flowers, or vegetables in your yard.

You can also use essential oils, apple cider vinegar, or hot chili sauce to deter squirrels.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Squirrels Hate Rosemary
Rosemary

This is an excellent option if you’re looking for a smell that will not permeate everything else you have growing in your garden.

Just plant some rosemary near where squirrels are chewing on plants or trees, and they should stay away!

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Mint (Mentha spp)

Squirrels Hate Mint
Peppermint Plant

Another very strong-smelling herb that repels squirrels is mint. Plant some peppermint around your garden, especially near vegetable patches or flower borders.

It also helps if you have an indoor mint plant growing in food preparation areas.

Alternatively, use peppermint essential oil and add a few drops to some water. Put the mixture in a spray bottle and spray it along the border of your vegetable garden to keep squirrels away.

You can also add apple cider vinegar to the spray to make it more effective.  Peppermint is also a smell that deters chipmunks.

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Garlic (Allium sativum)

Planting some garlic around your garden will not only keep squirrels away but rabbits, deer, and other animals too.

It is a strong-smelling plant that they don’t like to be around!  If you’re thinking about using this plant, here’s the best time to plant garlic.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)

If you have squirrels that like to chew wood, try sprinkling some cinnamon around your home.

Squirrels hate the smell and will eventually get sick of chewing there and leave!

Pepper (Capsicum annuum)

Pepper and capsicum have been tested and found to be an effective deterrent for squirrels – plant some hot peppers near your plants or fruit trees, and squirrels will stay away and stop eating your fruit.

You can also make a spray by boiling up the pepper in water, straining it out, and then spraying the solution near the plants to keep them away.

An easier way to make a spray is to use hot pepper sauce and mix it with water. The sauce can be sprayed around your yard. It has a powerful smell and taste and will help to deter squirrels.

Animal Urine (obviously tough to get your dog to do this)

Smells Squirrels Don't Like

Squirrels are more likely to stay away from your yard if you have a pet, as they don’t like the smell of animal urine. A dog or cat can also scare squirrels by chasing them away.

There is also a plant called a crown imperial that smells like skunk urine. If you don’t have any pets, adding this plant to your flower borders is beneficial.

Coffee grounds

Sprinkle some used coffee grounds around your yard. Squirrels hate the smell, and coffee can also be beneficial to your plants.


Taking it One Step Further: Squirrel Proofing

Squirrels are smart and persistent, so it can help to combine several methods to keep them away from your garden and outdoor spaces.

Physical Barriers

  • Fencing and Netting:
    Installing a fence or netting around vegetable patches or fruit trees can be very effective. Use a tight mesh to prevent squirrels from squeezing through.
  • Tree Guards:
    Wrap tree trunks with plastic or metal tree guards to discourage squirrels from climbing up to bird feeders or branches heavy with fruit.

Scare Devices

  • Motion-Activated Sprinklers:
    These devices detect movement and release a burst of water, startling squirrels and teaching them to avoid the area.
  • Predator Decoys:
    Placing plastic owls or hawks around the garden can work to scare off squirrels. To maintain their effectiveness, try moving the decoys around periodically so the squirrels don’t get used to them.

Habitat Modification

How to keep bees out of bird seed

  • Remove Food Sources:
    Squirrels are drawn to easily accessible food. Make sure bird feeders are secured with squirrel-proof designs and store pet food in sealed containers. Clearing away fallen fruits or nuts also helps reduce attractants.
  • Prune Overhanging Branches:
    Trim any branches that hang close to your home or garden. This minimizes natural pathways that squirrels use to jump onto roofs or other structures.

Squirrel-Proofing Techniques

  • Squirrel Baffles:
    Install baffles on poles that support bird feeders. These barriers make it hard for squirrels to climb up and access the food.
  • Secure Storage:
    Keep items like birdseed, pet food, or other attractants in tightly sealed containers. Removing these food sources can make your yard less appealing to squirrels.

These additional steps, when used alongside other deterrents, can significantly reduce squirrel activity in your garden.

Products that deter squirrels

You may like to check out some of these commercial products available from Amazon that have been proven to help deter squirrels.

Irish Spring Soap

Irish spring soap is very strong smelling and is often used by gardeners to help keep squirrels and other vermin out of their yard. This soap comes in a bar form, but you can mix some foam with water and then spray it around your yard.

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Bounce dryer sheets

Dryer sheets have a unique smell that squirrels hate. They can be tied to your fence to help keep squirrels away. You can use either bounce dryer sheets, which work surprisingly well, or search for peppermint or lavender dryer sheet, as squirrels hate these smells.

You may also like to add a few drops of essential oil to the sheet to make it smell more. Peppermint, lavender, or tea tree oil works well.

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Conclusion

The above list of plants are easy to grow in your yard or container garden that have smells squirrels hate. You can place them anywhere you have an issue with unwelcome vegetable-chewing critters. Squirrels don’t like strong smells as they have sensitive noses and will stay away from areas that smell odd. Alternatively, make a spray using essential oils or hot chili sauce.

Last update on 2025-02-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API