A pest control expert has shared how a common kitchen scrap can deter squirrels from gardens, as the animals cannot tolerate the smell and will stay away
Squirrels can cause chaos in your garden(Image: Robert Winkler via Getty Images)
Squirrels might seem harmless and cute, but gardeners will know that they can be chaotic. They love to feed on things like birdseed, fruit from trees and insects in the ground, so our gardens are havens for them.
It’s not possible to remove every single food source from our gardens, so homeowners have to use a different approach if they want to keep squirrels away.
They can potentially cause thousands of pounds worth of damage to properties by chewing through wires and woodwork, or tearing through insulation and plasterboard. To stop these pests from entering your garden and property, Jordan Foster, a pest control specialist at Fantastic Pest Control, has shared his best recommendations.
Jordan says that squirrels have strong aversions to certain scents and “simply cannot tolerate some smells” — with coffee grounds being one of them.
He suggested: “Spread coffee grounds in your borders as squirrels hate the smell of them and will run away and won’t come back.”
Spread coffee grounds in your borders as squirrels hate the smell of them(Image: Getty)
Gardeners are urged to scatter used coffee grounds around their garden’s boundaries to protect their plants and flowers.
To keep the grounds in place and intensify the scent, add a few drops of water.
Before applying it throughout the garden, gardeners are recommended to test a small, hidden spot to confirm it won’t damage their plants.
Squirrels can be difficult to get rid of(Image: Getty)
Coffee grounds may also help deter other pests, such as cats and rats. The horticultural experts at Love The Garden have also shared a fiery suggestion for deterring those pesky squirrels.
They said: “Squirrels can’t stand the hot, spicy flavours of chilli, and so a liberal scattering of these could help deter them from the garden.”
They also suggested another clever approach: planting lots of mint, since “squirrels find peppermint too strong for their sensitive noses”.
Gardeners should bear in mind that it’s sensible to check local guidelines before applying any pest-deterrent solutions in their outdoor spaces.
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