One effective method to keep squirrels and other unwanted backyard visitors at bay is adding substances with tastes or aromas they find unpleasant, such as cayenne pepper, chilli powder, crushed red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
Capsaicin can be an effective deterrent against birds and pets, yet can have potentially adverse side effects. Therefore, we advise opting for other deterrent products in place of capsaicin-based solutions as an effective deterrent solution.
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Deterring Squirrels
Squirrels are notoriously opportunistic creatures who scurry around gardens and bird feeders looking for seeds, plant bulbs and buds to feed off of. Not only can they do this however; they can also spread diseases like typhus, tularemia, plague and ringworm which pose real threats both humans and their furry companions alike.
There are natural and affordable squirrel deterrents you can use to stop squirrels from getting too close. A few drops of cinnamon essential oil sprinkled onto a rag tied around a tree near your property is one such solution to deterring squirrels from getting too close.
Sprinkling cayenne pepper on garden seeds will also deter squirrels. Cayenne contains capsaicin, an ingredient which makes the pepper hot enough that squirrels quickly flee it.
Squirrels can also be deterred using predator urine spray available from garden nurseries, though these repellents will need to be reapplied frequently.
Attracting Birds
Buy wild bird seed with hot pepper to attract birds while also deterring squirrels from taking it for themselves. Red color of peppers reflect UV light, signaling to birds that their seeds are ready for dispersal and germination.
Mammals don’t see ultraviolet light; though they will still consume peppers for health benefits, these won’t compare with what plants receive.
Once its seeds have reached full maturity, the red color will have a completely different appearance to birds.
Ground cayenne or dried red pepper flakes mixed into seeds will work fine; or you could add chilli oil for additional flavouring and stickiness – although rain could wash it away later.
Deterring Raccoons
One effective method to deter raccoons is using wild bird seed that has been treated with hot pepper, as this will irritate their sense of smell and they won’t come near your garden or chicken coops to feed.
Keep them away from your yard and garden crops by installing deterrents such as fences. Furthermore, keeping them away from garbage bins where they could find tasty treats or foul waste could keep the pests at bay.
Establish a scent-free zone around your property as another quick and cost-effective method to deter raccoons. Doing this will eliminate all scents they find appealing and prompt them to seek alternative sources of sustenance.
Other methods of deterring raccoons effectively include weight-sensitive feeders and caged bird feeders, both designed to restrict their access to birdseed while making it harder for them to access it. A spring-loaded feeder may also discourage them from climbing onto it.
Deterring Other Critters
Having difficulty keeping squirrels and raccoons away from your bird feeders? A spice blend might just be what’s necessary. Bears, deer, squirrels and raccoons all prefer being kept at bay without harming birds – this means it can help safeguard backyard bird feeding areas year-round!
Spicy peppers such as cayenne and red pepper flakes produce heat that mammals find unpleasant, yet birds do not detect its flavor due to having far fewer taste receptors than humans do.
Use cayenne-free products such as hot chili powder or flakes as they provide more appealing food for birds. Add an oil such as castor oil to make the seed even more palatable for bird consumption.
These specially formulated products will deter rodents and raccoons from eating your bird food, enabling you to place feeders in places they couldn’t before. Furthermore, hot pepper foods help deter wildlife from foraging around your garden, which helps safeguard plants and flowers.
