One of the question which comes in someone’s mind while handling squirrels is Does Cayenne Pepper Deter Squirrels?
Studies have shown that capsaicin, the chemical compound in cayenne peppers that causes the heat sensation, does work as an insecticide and animal repellant.
However, there are no published studies on whether or not this also works on squirrels.
Luckily, you can use your own home remedy to find out if cayenne pepper can deter squirrels from messing with your garden. Read on to learn how to deter squirrels with cayenne pepper!
Does Cayenne Pepper Deter Squirrels?
Cayenne pepper is a great way to keep pests away from your garden. It can also be used to deter squirrels from eating your fruit and vegetables.
You should sprinkle the cayenne pepper around the perimeter of your garden, where you know that the squirrels are coming in.
If you have larger fruits or vegetables in pots or growing containers, then you can put some cayenne pepper underneath them as well to stop them from being eaten by any pesky animals.
The squirrels won’t want to get near it because it irritates their nose and eyes when they get too close. They will move on to an easier target instead.
Does Cayenne Pepper Keep Squirrels Away from Bird Seed?
One of the most common questions we get asked is does cayenne pepper keep squirrels away from birdseed? The answer is, sometimes. There are several factors that will determine whether or not this is the case.
First, squirrels are naturally curious creatures who like to explore new areas and try new things. This curiosity makes them more likely to be drawn to something unfamiliar such as cayenne pepper sprinkled on top of the seed.
Second, some squirrel species have a higher tolerance for capsaicin (the chemical compound found in cayenne peppers) than others. Red squirrels seem to be able to withstand a much higher dose of capsaicin than grey squirrels can before they flee an area.
Lastly, there’s always the chance that your furry rodent friend doesn’t even like spicy foods in general so he won’t stay near the seed just because it has cayenne on it! It all comes down to trial and error with these kinds of tactics.
You may find that one day your backyard visitors are gone but then you come back out two weeks later only to find them hanging around again. Or maybe they stop coming altogether!
Also Read:- https://plantworksnyc.com/what-do-caterpillars-hate/
How to Use Cayenne Pepper to Deter Squirrels
The use of cayenne pepper to deter squirrels is a quick, easy, and effective way to remove these pesky critters from your yard. You can use ground cayenne pepper or a cayenne pepper spray to create a boundary that will keep them out.
Sprinkle some of the pepper around the areas you want to protect. If you are using a spray, shake the can before each application and spray the perimeter.
The idea is that the smell from the peppers is unpleasant and won’t be tolerated by squirrels.
However, it’s important to note that while this method is an effective deterrent, it may not work on all squirrels because they have different sensitivities.
Some will continue to come back even after being repelled by the cayenne pepper. For example, one of our customers had success with this deterrent for over two years until he encountered a stubborn female squirrel who dug her own burrow in his flower bed where she proceeded to build her nest.
She would come into his yard every day at 4 am and make him miserable for hours before returning home for lunch.
After reading about different repellents online he found peanut butter mixed with hot sauce as another solution which has now been successful in deterring her from entering his property entirely!
Can You Plant Cayenne Peppers to Deter Squirrels?
Cayenne peppers are a good deterrent for squirrels. They can be planted in the garden or used to make a natural repellant. If you want to plant cayenne peppers, it is best to plant them in containers or pots and position them near the plants that they are trying to protect from squirrels.
It is important not to bury the pepper seeds too deep into the soil because if they get watered too much, they will rot and not grow properly.
The same goes for planting inside of the pot; use some drainage holes so that water can flow out of the pot but don’t bury the pepper seed more than two inches below ground level.
A nice addition to your pot would be a few eggshells mixed with some sand and gravel as this helps create a dry environment which helps deter squirrels as well.
If you have bigger plants in your garden, put your container on one side of them so they look like an island with their peppers circling around them.
Summary!
Cayenne pepper is often used to deter squirrels from eating from bird feeders. It can also be sprinkled on the ground surrounding the feeder to keep squirrels away.
It is important that you reapply after rain or wet weather as it will wash off. You can also try garlic, hot sauce, and chili powder for this purpose too! It is important to note that if a squirrel eats enough of these deterrents, it will likely die from an upset stomach.
Be careful not to use cayenne pepper near places where small children might put their hands on because there are some reported cases of eye irritation when touching eyes after coming in contact with the herb.
Meet Tomas Clayton, a seasoned plant gardener who has been passionate about horticulture since he was a child. Tomas John developed a love for the natural world and a strong appreciation for the beauty of plants while growing up on a farm.
