If you’re looking for the best way to kill squirrels, we highly advise against this shortsighted approach. It’s not because we are squirrel lovers but because killing individual squirrels will do nothing to address future squirrels.
The best and most effective approach to dealing with squirrels is to use squirrel repellents that not only get rid of existing squirrels, but squirrel-proofs your property so these animals don’t cause more damage going forward.
Killing squirrels is akin to addressing a symptom and not the larger disease at hand. The disease in this case being the presence of squirrels on your property.
We have compiled a list of the 6 most effective methods of getting rid of squirrels both now and going forward. Now let’s have a look at them so you can begin your journey to a squirrel-free home.
1) Electronic Squirrel Repellents
The first and undoubtably easiest to implement category of repellents are electronic squirrel repellents.
This type of squirrel deterrent is truly a “set it and forget it” type of approach.
There are 2 types of electronic squirrel repellents. The first type, called ultrasonic squirrel repellents, use a combination of sonic sounds and pulsing lights to disorient squirrels. This causes them to become quite frightened and vacate the premises as a result.
Squirrel sprinkler repellents on the other hand work by sensing nearby squirrels and squirting them with water to scare them away. While effective, this would be the less desirable option in cold climates as they can’t be used once the temperature dips below freezing.
Overall these deterrents work extremely well and should be used as everyone’s first attempt to get rid of squirrels.
2) Natural Squirrel Repellents
The second best type of squirrel repellent are natural squirrel repellents.
This entails using natural ingredients that squirrels find irritating in order to keep them away from your property.
One whiff of these deterrents and squirrels will simply head for the hills.
These squirrel deterrents come in 2 different formats: squirrel repellent sprays and squirrel repellent balls.
They both use similar active ingredients but use 2 different formats based on your preferred application method. Sprays are applied directly to areas where squirrels are known to frequent while the balls are a more convenient, prefabricated solution.
Both of these natural squirrel repellents work wonders to scare away squirrels and are worthy of your time.
3) Squirrel Traps
Now if the 2 aforementioned squirrel repellents aren’t giving you the results you desire, it’s time to move onto squirrel traps.
This method requires you to bait a trap in your yard to ultimately attract and trap nuisance squirrels. Once captured, they are released in an area away from your home.
After doing this several times, you should be able to put a serious dent in the squirrel population by your property.
These traps are constructed of heavy duty materials that make capturing and transporting these animals safe for both of you.
Squirrel traps are extremely easy to use and have been a reliable way of getting rid of squirrels for decades.
4) Squirrel Repellent for Cars
If you’re having issues with squirrels damaging your vehicle, squirrel repellent for cars will ultimately be your solution.
This type of electronic squirrel repellent works similar to the ultrasonic deterrents discussed earlier.
They produce a combination of sounds and flashing lights that scare squirrels away from your vehicle and persuades them to stay far away.
Squirrel repellent for cars come in 2 different types depending on how handy you are. The first is powered by normal household batteries while the second attaches to your vehicle’s 12v battery. The second type is preferable as there are no batteries to change. This ensures the device will always have the power it needs.
Both of these repellents are only active while the vehicle is parked (they are deactivated while the vehicle is in motion since squirrels presumably won’t be in your vehicle chewing wires during this time).
We highly recommend both of them to safeguard your vehicles against these destructive animals.
5) Squirrel Repellent Bird Feeders
If you’re a bird lover and are sick of squirrels stealing food from your feeder, a squirrel repellent bird feeder is a necessity.
These feeders use a myriad of different tactics to ensure seed can’t be stolen by these nuisance animals.
Some of the tactics these products employ involve the use of closing feeding ports and rotating perch rings.
These bird feeders are able to discern the weight between a bird and squirrel and will use the aforementioned tactics when a squirrel has been detected.
A squirrel repellent bird feeder is an extremely clever way of ensuring your desirable birds can eat without the threat of squirrels taking their food!
6) Squirrel Repellent Plants
If you’re looking to add color to your garden but are constantly dealing with squirrels eating your plants, you need to evaluate the types of plants you are using.
Squirrel repellent plants contain specific characteristics that squirrels innately can’t stand. This normally includes a combination of scents and tastes that squirrels find bothersome.
Some of our favorite squirrel repellent plants are: Hyacinth, Daffodil, Peppermint, Allium, and Snowdrop.
They are a great way to prevent squirrels from eating your desirable plants!
Bottom Line
We hope you found our suggestions helpful and are no longer looking for the best way to kill squirrels.
A strong case has been made for using squirrel repellents rather than killing squirrels since the former will safeguard your property against future squirrel attacks while the latter will not.
Using a combination of the aforementioned squirrel deterrents will give you even more assurance that your property will be squirrel-proof for years to come.
We feel very confident that our advice will help you finally get rid of these animals and we kindly ask that you return to let us know how they worked!