Best Natural Squirrel Repellent Products That Work

Squirrels are cute and even entertaining to watch. They are intelligent, natural problem solvers who often learn to trust humans, with many taking peanuts and treats from our very fingertips!

However, squirrels can also be problematic and even dangerous, especially when they invade our homes and nest in our roofs, attics, inside our walls, and even in our crawlspaces.

Are you looking for a natural, humane squirrel repellent to help keep your home safe from these damage-causing pests?

Then you’re in luck. Today, we have listed several of our favorite natural repellents to help keep your home and gardens safe from ornery squirrel activity.

Let’s get started.

What Is Natural Squirrel Repellent And How Does It Work?

Natural repellents use natural ingredients that are generally safe to use around humans and pets.

Natural squirrel repellent can be anything from sonic devices, to traps, to all natural sprays and deterrents. You may want to use a natural squirrel repellent for many reasons, from having children and pets in the home to wanting to repel squirrels without causing them any harm.

Whatever your reason, we get it and we are here to help. Best of all, we are happy to report that natural squirrel repellent remedies can be just as effective to help keep squirrels at bay as other repellents that contain harsh or toxic chemicals or kill traps that, in some regions, may be illegal.

Natural repellents work by using irritating ingredients or sounds that are harm-free and environmentally friendly, but that annoy and disturb squirrels, causing them to leave.

That said, we are not including traps in our list of repellents today, although traps are often highly effective as well.

Let’s learn more.

Squirrel Repellent Vs. Traps – Which Is Most Effective?

Squirrels can cause serious damage, so it’s important to use the most effective method of removal.

Unfortunately, if squirrels have come to nest in your home, trapping them may be necessary. Luckily, there are many professionals who are experts in trapping and relocating squirrels, and we highly recommend you contact them if you are experiencing a squirrel infestation inside your home.

That said, we still feel that repellents can be just as effective, if not more effective, than traps when used at the right time and in the proper way. In fact, if you are able to effectively use repellents to keep squirrels at bay, you may never have to use traps at all.

However, and as we mentioned, sometimes traps are needed. That said, there are pros and cons to using traps and repellents. Keep reading to find out why.

Natural Repellent Vs. Traps – Pros And Cons

Trapping squirrels and relocating them could still be a death sentence for the animals. 

Deciding between using a repellent vs a trap will depend on the level of your squirrel problem. As we mentioned above, if you have squirrels nesting inside your home, calling a professional or using traps to relocate them may be required.

However, there are pros and cons to using traps. Of course, there are pros and cons to using repellents as well. Not sure which method is right for you? Let’s weigh our options.

Natural Squirrel Repellent Pros

• These repellents use all natural ingredients
• They are environmentally friendly
• Natural repellents are harm free
• Natural squirrel ingredients are kid and pet safe
• Natural repellents help keep squirrels and other pests away so you can avoid future problems and expensive home repairs.

Natural Repellent Cons

• Repellents may not work if you already have squirrels nesting in your home.
• Natural repellents may require multiple applications and take more time
• Natural repellents may be more expensive and require constant upkeep

Squirrel Trap Pros

• Live traps are a humane way to catch and relocate squirrels
• Traps are one of the most effective methods of squirrel removal, according to experts
• Nesting squirrels can sometimes only be removed effectively using traps

Squirrel Trap Cons

• Squirrel traps can be expensive and often come with the added expense of hiring a professional
• Squirrel traps may require you to do make holes in walls or attics
• Relocating squirrels using traps may be illegal in your region without professional help
• Relocating squirrels may lead to the squirrel’s death anyway if not done properly

Best Natural Repellents For Yards And Gardens

Natural repellents can help keep squirrels from destroying your garden. 

Squirrels can cause problems both inside of our homes and in our gardens. When it comes to protecting gardens from these pests, it’s important to use plant-safe, natural products.

Below are some of our favorite repellent products for your lawn and garden.

Exterminators Choice Small Animal Natural Repellent

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One of the first natural repellent products we like for gardens is made by Exterminators Choice. This is a spray that is specifically designed to protect yards and gardens from small animals like squirrels and mice.

It leaves a pleasant odor and is safe to use on plants and around children and pets. In fact, you can even use it around the perimeter of your home, around garbage cans, and in attics and cellars to prevent squirrels from moving in and nesting in your home.

PredatorPee Original Coyote Urine

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Considering a squirrel would make a tasty snack for a coyote, it’s no wonder the smell of coyote urine would send squirrels running. This is a completely natural, albeit kind of gross, way you can help keep squirrels out of your yard and garden.

This spray also works against other pesky animals like skunks and raccoons. That said, coyote urine does seem to attract other coyotes, so use this with caution around homes with pets and children.

Squirrel Mace Repellent

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Next on our list of natural repellents is Squirrel Mace by Nature’s Mace. This product is made with 100% natural ingredients and is designed to safely and effectively protect your garden and yard from squirrels and chipmunks.

It also leaves a nice, minty scent which humans love and squirrels hate. Best of all, this product is totally safe to use around children and pets.

I Must Garden Squirrel Repellent

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Another all natural repellent we love is made by I Must Garden. This company also makes pellets to help repel squirrels, but we prefer this spray as it is easy to use and made of safe, natural ingredients you can use around children and pets.

This particular spray actually helps reduce squirrel digging, which can wreak havoc on gardens and lawns, especially when random plants begin sprouting up after a squirrel has forgotten where he buried his seeds.

Spray this in your garden and around your lawn as needed. You can also use this spray in your home and vehicle as well.

Grandpa Gus’s Potent Squirrel Repellent

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Squirrels are not big fans of peppermint and cinnamon, and Grandpa Gus used that to his advantage when he created his potent chipmunk and squirrel repellent. This spray is totally safe and natural, and you can use it in your home, around your yard, in your garden, and even in your vehicle.

This is a water-based product that is totally kid and pet friendly and can be used as often as needed. Best of all, it leaves a yummy scent squirrels will hate but you will love.

Best Squirrel Repellent Products For Homes

Squirrels can cause hundreds of dollars of damage if they get inside your home and are even responsible for countless home fires.

Squirrels can find their way into your home through a number of methods, and it’s tough to get rid of them once they are inside, especially when they start nesting. The best way to prevent a squirrel infestation inside your home is to use squirrel repellent products and avoid them all together.

We have listed some of our favorite indoor repellent products that are all natural, family and pet safe, and proven to work.

BH-1 Ultrasonic Squirrel Repellent

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One of our favorite natural squirrel repellent products is one that doesn’t require any sprays or scents. In fact, it hardly requires any work from you at all. This product plugs into your home and uses ultrasonic sound frequencies to repel all kinds of burrowing animals that can cause damage to your home like mice, squirrels, rats, bed bugs, mosquitoes, spiders and more.

The order includes two plug-ins and each one can reach up to 1,600 square feet. And, because you’re not using any sprays, scents, or chemicals, this repellent is completely safe to use in homes with pets and kids.

Eco Defense Squirrel Repellent

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This is another natural squirrel repellent we love for indoors because it is safe and natural and fine to use around kids and pets. You can use it both indoors and out to spray the perimeter or in any place you worry you may have seen signs of squirrel activity.

However, this product may not be as effective in the long term and may require several applications. We recommend using this repellent along with sound repellents or perimeter sprays.

Neatmaster Ultrasonic Squirrel Repellent

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Another ultrasonic repellent we like is made by Neatmaster and comes with different settings depending on your squirrel problem. This ultrasonic plug-in works similarly to the other plug-in on this list and is pet and kid safe.

However, some of the higher settings can cause discomfort to pets and people, so follow the directions of use and make sure you are only using the higher settings when you and your pets are out of the house.

This repellent can also help get rid of roaches, mice, mosquitoes, spiders, ants, and more.

Exterminators Choice Essential Oil Squirrel Repellent Spray

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This is another repellent product we like by Exterminators Choice because it uses natural essential oils to help repel squirrels and other pests like mice and rats. You can use this spray inside your vehicle, in boats, in the attic, in RV’s, and around your home.

It is safe to use around kids and pets and leaves behind a pleasant odor that we humans love but squirrels will hate.

Eco Defense Squirrel Repellent Pouches

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Last on our list of natural repellent products we love are these squirrel repellent pouches by Eco Defense. They are all natural, safe for the environment, and use essential oils like mint, peppermint, and lemongrass to help repel not only squirrels, but also mice, rats, spiders, and other pests from entering your home.

That said, while this product does have mostly great reviews and we love that it’s all natural, some of the reviews we read were mixed. If you do choose to use these pouches as a natural repellent, we suggest placing them strategically around your home and using them alongside a spray or ultrasonic plug-in.

Best Natural Repellent Home Remedies

Squirrels are deterred by mint and other strong-smelling essential oils. 

When looking for natural repellents to protect your garden and home from squirrels, don’t forget to look in your own pantry. You may be amazed at the number of natural ingredients you already have that can help keep squirrels at bay.

One of the most effective methods to help repel squirrels is a red pepper spray repellent.

This video gives you a step-by-step guide on how you can make an easy and all natural red pepper spray squirrel repellent at home.

Other effective home remedies you can use to repel squirrels at home are listed below.

• Repellent Plants And Bulbs 

Trying to keep squirrels from ruining your garden? Try planting some plants and vegetation they hate. Some of the best repellent plants that squirrels are deterred by include hot peppers, peppermint, geranium, daffodils, allium, lily of the valley, and hyacinths.

• Cayenne Pepper Or Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

Hot spices like cayenne pepper and crushed red pepper are natural squirrel repellents you can use to protect your garden without worrying about harming pets or children.

Simply sprinkle these spices anywhere you want to keep squirrels out and repeat as needed. While this is a safe and natural squirrel repellent alternative to sprays and traps, we should note that cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes can irritate pets as well, so use it carefully.

• Garlic, Vinegar, And Water Spray

Squirrels are repelled by the scent of fresh garlic. It’s simple to make a garlic spray repellent at home using fresh garlic, white vinegar, and water.  Just dice up some garlic and add one cup of water and one cup of vinegar to a spray bottle. Let the mixture sit for 24 hours before spraying around the perimeter of your home as needed.

• Pure Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar works wonders for our bodies and our homes! This is a great squirrel deterrent for around the perimeter of your home and to help keep squirrels away from bird feeders and the yard, but be careful not to saturate plants in the vinegar, as this can damage or kill them.

• Peppermint Oil

One of the oldest tricks in the book to help keep squirrels from nesting in your home or attic is to use peppermint oil and cotton balls. Experts recommend soaking cotton balls in peppermint oil and placing them around entry and exit points of your home as well as in your attic, crawlspace, and other areas squirrels have been active.

Fast Facts About Squirrels – What You Should Know

Squirrels may be adorable, but they are best enjoyed from a distance. 

• There Are 285 squirrel species in the world and five squirrel species in the United States

Squirrels can be found on most every continent, although there are only five squirrel species in America. The most common squirrel you’ll likely see, and the one that will probably be driving you nuts (pun intended), is the Eastern Gray Squirrel.

• Squirrels eat all the time

In one week, a squirrel can consume about 1.5 pounds of food. That’s the equivalent of a human eating their bodyweight in food every week.

• Squirrels are clever and natural problem solvers

Squirrels can be tough to get rid of because they are so smart. They are also not easily defeated and tend to take problems head on. They will try multiple different avenues to get to their goal before giving up, and they learn quickly what is truly a danger and what is not.

• It Is believed that squirrels are responsible for around 20% of House Fires a year 

When squirrels get into your home to nest, they tend to do so in attics, walls, and ceilings. In order to make room and get cozy, they will often chew through electrical wires, which is not only expensive to fix but incredibly dangerous. On top of that,  the squirrel’s nest is highly flammable, adding to the danger.

• Squirrels are not usually aggressive, but they can carry some deadly diseases

While squirrels are pretty entertaining and cute, you should steer clear of them and keep your pets clear from them as well. Squirrels are wild animals and can carry some serious diseases like salmonella, tularemia, and leptospirosis. Squirrels may also carry fleas and ticks, which can easily be transferred to you or your pet.

So, considering all these interesting facts and the serious damage and diseases squirrels can cause, it’s a good thing there are plenty of natural, humane, and safe squirrel repellent products you can use to protect your home and family.

Have you tried any of the natural repellent products above? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.