Squirrels, with their bushy tails and playful nature, might be a delightful sight in the parks of Toronto, but when they decide to make your attic their new playground, the narrative swiftly changes. 

These agile creatures have a knack for turning quiet residential spaces into their personal acrobatic arenas, often leading to sleepless nights for homeowners. They chew through wires, dig holes in insulation, and can transform a serene home environment into a noisy, chaotic one. The key to reclaiming your peace involves understanding not just how squirrels get into your house but also what these furry invaders detest the most.

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we’ve consolidated years of hands-on experience with a deep understanding of behaviour to tackle these issues head-on. Through our wildlife control in Toronto, we’ve identified that the scent of predator urine, such as that of a fox or a coyote, is among the things squirrels hate the most. 

This knowledge plays a pivotal role in our humane and effective approach to not only removing these energetic intruders but also in implementing strategies on how to prevent squirrels from making your home theirs. In the coming sections, we will unravel the secrets behind our proven methods, share insights into making your property less inviting to these animals, and highlight why we’re your go-to solution for safeguarding your home against unwanted wildlife guests.

What Do Squirrels Dislike?

Squirrels are often seen as adorable little creatures, scampering about with their bushy tails and bright eyes. However, when they start invading gardens or attics, they can quickly lose their charm. For those looking to keep these furry visitors at bay, understanding what squirrels dislike can be quite useful. Here are some things that squirrels find particularly unappealing.

• Unpleasant Aromas

Squirrels have a keen sense of smell, and certain scents can send them packing. For instance, they despise the strong, pungent smell of peppermint. Using peppermint oil as a natural deterrent is a popular and humane way to keep them away. Simply soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them around areas you want to protect. Additionally, squirrels tend to avoid the scents of garlic and vinegar, so sprinkling some garlic powder or spraying diluted vinegar around your garden can also be effective.

• Noisy Distractions

While they might not seem it, squirrels are sensitive to noise. Certain sounds can make them anxious and drive them away. Wind chimes, ultrasonic repellers, or even a radio set to talk shows can create an uncomfortable auditory environment for them. These unexpected noises can disrupt their natural inclination to explore and scavenge, pushing them to find a quieter area.

• Unfriendly Terrain

Squirrels are agile climbers, but they prefer stable surfaces. Using slippery or unstable materials can deter them from climbing structures like bird feeders or fences. Consider wrapping poles with a piece of PVC pipe or using squirrel baffles to make climbing challenging. For garden beds, a layer of mulch or gravel can create an uneven terrain that squirrels will find unappealing to dig through.

• Unappetizing Plants

If you’re a gardener, planting certain types of vegetation can naturally discourage squirrels. Squirrels tend to avoid plants with strong odors or those that are naturally spiky. Daffodils, alliums, and hyacinths are known to be squirrel-repellent and can add beautiful color to your garden as well. Additionally, planting mint or marigolds can work double duty, adding beauty while keeping squirrels at bay.

Proactive Tips for Squirrel Prevention

For those determined to keep squirrels away, consider combining these tactics for maximum effectiveness. Regularly changing scents and sounds can prevent squirrels from getting used to them. Also, maintaining a clean area by removing food sources such as fallen fruits or accessible birdseed can reduce their interest in your property.

By understanding what squirrels dislike, you can create an environment that naturally deters these creatures while keeping your garden or home safe and peaceful. Whether through scent, sound, or strategic gardening, there are plenty of humane ways to coexist without conflict.

Installation of Physical Barriers for Management

In addition to leveraging the power of scents, tastes, and unsettling sounds, incorporating physical modifications into your home is a highly effective strategy for managing squirrel activity. Physical barriers act as a first line of defence, preventing agile squirrels from gaining access to your living spaces. Our expertise in the humane management of these creatures guides the installation of these structures, ensuring they serve their purpose without injuring the animals or causing unintended damage to your home.

• Guards on Trees

Guards are cylindrical or cone-shaped barriers placed around the trunks of trees to prevent squirrels from climbing. These devices are particularly useful for trees close to the house, effectively cutting off a common access route. Guards can be strategically installed at a height and in a manner that squirrels cannot bypass.

• Securing Entry Points

Our team meticulously inspects your home for any potential entry points, such as vents, eaves, and roof lines. We then secure these areas with durable materials designed to resist chewing and prying by squirrels. The objective is to seal off access points to discourage entry without harming the animals.

Strategies to Minimize the Risk of Squirrel Infestations

Keeping squirrels at bay goes beyond reactive solutions; it requires a proactive mindset to make your yard and home less enticing to these agile creatures. By implementing a few strategic practices, homeowners can significantly reduce the likelihood of turning their property into a playground. Here, we’ll share some effective tips on maintaining a squirrel-resistant environment, focusing on waste management and minimizing accessible food sources.

• Tidy Up the Garden: Start by keeping your garden neat and free from debris. Regularly rake up fallen fruit, nuts, and seeds, which could attract hungry visitors. Consider using a compost bin with a secure lid to prevent squirrels from sniffing out snacks. A tidy garden is not just visually appealing but also less inviting for a squirrel’s foraging activities.
• Secure Trash and Recycling Bins: Ensure that your trash and recycling bins have tightly fitting lids. Squirrels are known for their persistence and ingenuity, and an unsecured bin is like a treasure trove for these creatures. Investing in bins with locking mechanisms can thwart their efforts to rummage for food.
• Use Bird Feeders: If you enjoy bird watching, opt for squirrel-proof bird feeders. These feeders are designed to block squirrels from accessing the feed while allowing birds to dine undisturbed. Additionally, consider positioning the feeders away from trees and shrubs that squirrels can leap from.
• Install Baffles on Trees and Structures: Mounting baffles on trees, poles, and other structures can effectively prevent squirrels from climbing into areas where they are not wanted. Baffles are smooth surfaces that squirrels cannot grip, limiting their access to roofs and potential entry points.
• Harvest Crops Timely: For those with vegetable gardens or fruit trees, timely harvesting is key. Squirrels are attracted to ripe produce, so gathering your crops before they become overly ripe can help avoid unwanted attention.

Effective Management Strategies

Understanding what discourages squirrels is pivotal in controlling their presence around our homes. Squirrels are deterred by a tidy garden, secure trash and recycling bins, squirrel-proof bird feeders, baffles on trees and structures, and timely harvested crops. Recognizing these dislikes allows homeowners to implement proactive measures that make their property less attractive to these agile creatures. However, when prevention falls short, professional wildlife control services become indispensable.

Our team at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control specializes in humane and effective solutions to manage squirrel invasions, ensuring they don’t gain access to your home. We emphasize the importance of coexisting with nature and employ strategies that safeguard both your home and the local wildlife. 

From securing potential entry points like vents and eaves to professional installations of barriers designed to keep squirrels at bay, our comprehensive services address the core question of how do squirrels get into your house? Our expertise not only lies in wildlife control in Toronto but also in empowering homeowners with knowledge on how to prevent these animals from turning their property into a playground.

Understanding the need for a tailored approach, we invite you to request an estimate to explore how our customized solutions can resolve your specific wildlife challenges. Protect your home in a humane and effective manner with Skedaddle’s professional assistance.