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up vote 4 down vote favorite

My neighborhood is saturated with squirrels, and I see the little critters burying nuts or whatever in my back yard all the time. They leave small holes about 2 inches in diameter in the yard. There is one place they are particularly fond of, and it is forming a depression and killing a lot of the grass. Any way to get these things to stay away?

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+1 on the vivid description of "saturated with squirrels"! – thursdaysgeek May 31 '12 at 17:39

3 Answers

up vote 5 down vote accepted

Options:

  • .22 (check local ordinances...killing them may not be allowed)
  • trap and release (release far away...again, check local ordinances)
  • metal mesh. Squirrels don't like digging through wire. This is a great technique for protecting flower bulbs...not as practical for a yard.
  • repellent (the stuff I've used that seems to work OK is a mix of garlic, dried blood, and pepper. Alas, it STINKS...so your yard will smell like a bad italian restaurant, but it did seem to repel the squirrels

The best option, though:

  • a dog

Granted a dog can end up digging bigger holes.

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2  
Metal mesh seems like a good solution to the favorite spot that keeps getting torn up. I'll try the repellent as well. Unfortunately our dog cannot stay outside 24/7 and shooting guns in town is frowned upon. And there are far, far to many to catch and release. Thanks for the tips! – eterps May 30 '12 at 3:15
1  
As an alternative to a 22, you could go with an air rifle instead. They don't make nearly as much noise: mine's about as loud as a staple gun. Careful though - a 1000 fps lead pellet will penetrate a 5/8" privacy fence board. They're definitely not toys! – Doresoom Jun 4 '12 at 21:14
up vote 3 down vote

You can make your own all natural squirrel repellent at home that won't (shouldn't) kill the grass.

In a 2oz pot of water add the following ingredients.

  • 2 tablespoons black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
  • one chopped Jalapeno pepper
  • one chopped onion

Boil for 20 minutes and then let cool with the lid on it.

Strain liquid threw a cheese cloth into a spray bottle, then spray covering the trouble areas.

Be very careful not to get any on your skin, and if you get some one your hands you need to wash it all off. The slightest touch to the lips or eyes will result in immediate irritation.

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up vote 2 down vote

I use chicken wire to keep squirrels out of my garden. They are always digging holes there and burying acorns. One thing I've noticed: they always go for open soil, and once plants are established there they don't seem to dig and bury stuff anymore. So you might try the mesh until you can get other vegetation better established.

I was going to put mesh over more of my garden until I figured this out. Now I have a couple pieces of mesh and a mesh box that I move around to cover newly started areas. Once established I don't need it anymore, the squirrels stay away.

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