Here are some plants that repel squirrels naturally.
When faced with a squirrel problem or invasion, lots of alternatives are available to enable you to take back control of your territory or garden. Now for most people, safe and natural alternatives are most preferred as they pose no danger to humans, animals as well as the environment.
These are non-toxic strategies that keep squirrels at bay.
In light of this knowledge, this article will be listing and discussing plants with squirrel repellent properties. These creatures are quite pesky and cause a lot of damage to the attic, lawns, and outdoor furniture.
Luckily you can fight back squirrel presence by growing a wide range of plants in your yard or garden.
Squirrel repellent plants work in much the same way as they release an aroma which irritates squirrels. The rodents do not stand a chance against such plants and will have to move to new or safe territory.
The Effects May be Short-Lived
The use of plants to deter squirrels, though effective, maybe short-lived over the long term.
As squirrels find better ways to adapt to their surroundings, they may get accustomed to living in an unfavorable territory. This ability to adapt over the long term may require the adoption of other natural strategies.
7 Plants with Squirrel Repellent Properties
Several plants can be included in those possessing repellent properties against squirrels.
A few of such plants include Geraniums, Daffodils, Alliums, Galanthus, Hyacinth, Fritillaries, and Lily-of-the-Valley.
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Geraniums
If you’re seeking a plant that not only repels squirrels but also adds to the beauty of your surroundings, then geranium will be an ideal candidate.
This is a perennial plant that is quite resilient and gives off a pleasing aroma that permeates your surroundings.
- How it Works
The scent released by geraniums, though pleasing to humans is detested by squirrels.
By creating an unfavorable territory, such plants help keep squirrels at bay. You’ll need to grow as many as possible to enhance its repellent effect.
- How to Use
To use geraniums for squirrel control, have them grown around your yard or garden. You may want to begin by creating a hedge around your home’s perimeter. Also, the most affected areas of your garden should be focused on.
Having these repellent plants growing around your home creates a no-go area for squirrels.
- Side Effects
Are there side effects associated with geranium use? It depends on who you ask.
For most people, geraniums pose little to no side effects. However, there are others (usually a minority) who may display signs of side effects. If you belong to this group, consider finding alternative plants to use.
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Daffodils
Daffodils are multicolored plants that possess squirrel repellent properties. These plants release a sweet fragrance that squirrels find unattractive. Plus, they cannot be chewed upon due to their unpalatable taste.
An added advantage of having these plants around is the beauty they add to your surroundings.
- How it Works
The repellent property of daffodils lies mainly in the scent released. Though this is appealing to the human sense of smell, the complete opposite applies to squirrels.
What better way to enhance the appeal of your surroundings than planting beautiful plants that smell nice?
- How to Use
To use daffodils for squirrel control, plant a sufficient number around your home. These can either be planted in the form of a hedge or barrier around the most affected areas.
As they blossom, these plants release their characteristic scent that keeps squirrels at bay.
- Side Effects
Side effects are possible with daffodil plants as these are mostly caused by allergies. Such hypersensitivity to daffodil plants should prompt an appropriate response which involves stopping its use.
Consider trying out other plants as listed in this article.
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Alliums
Alliums are plants found in the form of flowers and also include garlic, onions, and scallions. Now, all plants that fall into this category are known to possess or give off a strong pungent smell.
As a fragrant plant, squirrels are put off by its odor and stay away from such plants.
- How it Works
The best way to leverage on alliums for their repellent property is by having them grown around your home in sufficient amounts. The pungent smell given off by alliums places them among plants most detested by squirrels.
Wherever these are, squirrels keep their distance.
- How to Use Alliums for Squirrel Control
Using alliums for squirrel control is not that difficult.
Get as many variants (such as onions, garlic, and scallions) planted around. The presence of such plants creates an undesirable territory for squirrels. You won’t have to bother dealing with a squirrel problem anymore.
- Side Effects
The possibility of dealing with a side effect isn’t far-fetched. Some people are hypersensitive to a wide range of things including plants. Nevertheless, side effects resulting from alliums aren’t so common.
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Galanthus
If you wish to keep squirrels from feeding on plants within your garden, you may want to consider growing Galanthus plants.
Like most plants with pest repellent properties, these plant posses a strong scent which squirrels can’t stand. Plus, they add to the beauty of your space.
- How it Works
Galanthus plants effectively serve to repel squirrels and other pests mainly through the pungent smell released.
While such a strong scent is overpowering to squirrels, it smells good to humans. This is a great characteristic of the Galanthus plant that makes it ideal for persons dealing with a squirrel problem.
- How to Use
To use Galanthus plants as a squirrel repellent is easy.
You’ll need to have as many of these planted around your yard and home’s perimeter. This helps create a boundary that keeps squirrels at bay. You won’t have to deal with such problems for a long time.
- Side Effects
Side effects are possible but only in a few cases. In other words, only a few persons ever complain of experiencing a side effect due to the use of this plant.
Side effects should be properly handled by stopping its use and seeking more favorable alternatives. Any of the listed squirrel repellent plants in this article may serve your needs.
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Hyacinth
Hyacinth plants are multicolored and known to have squirrel repellent properties.
Not only do these keep squirrels at bay, but also serve to beautify your garden and home surroundings. Hyacinths release a sweet-smelling fragrance that permeates your surroundings.
- How it Works
The secret to its success as a squirrel repellent plant lies in its characteristic scent.
This scent released, though appealing to humans is irritating and overwhelms squirrels. Squirrels will always associate such scents with the unfavorable territory and keep their distance.
- How to Use Hyacinth
The use of hyacinth for squirrel control follows the same pattern with all the plants listed here. You’ll need to choose your most preferred location to grow them.
One of the best ways to do this involves using them as boundary plants to serve as a hedge around your home or garden.
- Side Effects
Side effects associated with hyacinth use are possible.
The good news is that in most cases, it is used without negative reactions. If you suspect certain irritations to be due to the use of this plant, it’s necessary to seek medical help. You may also find other plants less irritating.
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Fritillaries
If you wish to reduce or diminish the interest of squirrels around your garden, then fritillaries may serve as an effective option. Like most pest repellent plants, fritillaries give off a strong and unfavorable odor.
- How it Works
We’ve seen that fritillaries release a pungent odor.
Such an odor is largely perceived by humans as pleasing; however, the opposite is true for squirrels. These plants are also beautiful and can serve as ornamental plants to beautify your home.
- How to Use Fritillaries for Squirrel Control
Using fritillaries for squirrel control begins by having a sufficient number of these plants grown within your surroundings. Such may include your flower beds, yard, or garden.
Your home’s perimeter is also a great place to grow these plants.
- Side Effects
The use of fritillaries as a repellent for squirrels and other pests may result in mild or severe side effects.
On the whole, such cases are very rare, which is a good thing. If you notice such effects, you may want to seek other alternatives in addition to finding immediate medical attention in serious cases.
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Lilly-of-the-Valley
These plants are very attractive and beautiful due to their multiple colors.
What more? They give off a pungent scent that permeates your home’s surroundings. One of the things to know before planting them is their invasive nature. You’ll need to find the right location for them to grow.
- How it Works
Growing lily-of-the-valley as a squirrel repellent plant gives you the advantage also enhancing the looks of your surroundings. The strong scent released by these plants makes your environment repulsive to squirrels.
- How to Use
This plant should be grown around targeted areas to help ward off squirrels. However, you’ll need to consider its invasive nature and not plant it close to other garden plants as it can easily choke them.
- Side Effects
If you’ll be using this plant for squirrel control, one of the things to consider is the tendency for side effects. This isn’t so common though. When skin rash, itchiness, or other forms of reactions occur, consider seeking medical help.
These are only a few of several plants with squirrel repellent properties. Keeping your home surroundings free of these rodents is achievable by adopting these natural methods which are very safe and effective.