If you enjoy feeding squirrels in the backyard, there WILL come a time when you have no choice but to look for a cheap or free squirrel deterrent.
Maybe it hasn’t happened yet, but eventually, too many squirrels show up. They begin destroying your personal belongings, garden plants, and sometimes even your house.
Fortunately, there are plenty of squirrel deterrents that are cheap and some are even free because you’re likely to have them in your home.
Table of Contents - Click to Open
- Cheap Squirrel Deterrents List
- Aluminum Foil Strips
- Plastic Forks
- Mirror
- CDs or DVDs
- Cayenne Pepper
- Coffee Grounds
- Human or Pet Hair
- Vinegar Spray
- Mothballs
- Fake Snakes or Owls
- Bird Netting
- Wire Screening
- Motion-Activated Sprinklers
- Baking Soda
- Predator Urine
- Garlic Cloves
- Scented Soap Pieces
- Citrus Peels
- Essential Oils
- Planting Squirrel-Resistant Plants
- Bird Feeders with Squirrel-Proof Mechanisms
- Slinky Toy
- Tinfoil Pie Plates
- Plastic Bottles Filled with Water
- Motion-Activated Noise Maker
- Bird Decoys with Moving Parts
- DIY Scarecrow with Shiny Objects
Cheap Squirrel Deterrents List
Throughout my testing, I noticed all of the following items worked effectively on at least one squirrel, but not every squirrel. For example, many squirrels steered clear of mothballs, but one got very close, seemingly unbothered. Most squirrels didn’t like my mirrors, but a couple went toward them.
For that reason, I recommend you try multiple deterrents at one time and switch things up avoid squirrels becoming acclimated to their presence.
Aluminum Foil Strips
Aluminum foil strips fluttering in the wind can startle and deter squirrels from your garden. Hang them from trees or stakes near vulnerable plants to create movement and noise that squirrels find uncomfortable.
Cost: Free (if you have aluminum foil at home), otherwise around $1.25 – $4.00 roll
Plastic Forks
Plastic forks strategically placed with prongs facing upward can create a barrier around plants, making it uncomfortable for squirrels to walk or dig in those areas.
Cost: Around $1-$2 for a pack of plastic forks.
Mirror
Place plastic vanity mirrors in the ground. The style that comes with a handle is ready to push in the dirt! This will deter younger and timid squirrels.
Cost: $1-$5 for a mirror or mirror pack at discount stores. Possibly free in the junk drawer.
CDs or DVDs
Hang old CDs or DVDs around your garden to reflect sunlight and create flashes of light. The movement and reflection can scare off squirrels. For best results, use a clear string such as fishing line.
Cost: Free (if you have old CDs or DVDs), otherwise around $5-$10 for a pack.
Cayenne Pepper
Sprinkle cayenne pepper around the base of plants or in areas where squirrels frequent. The spicy scent and taste will deter them from digging or nibbling. Chili power is a viable substitute if that’s all you’ve got. For even better results, make this repellent granules mix.
Cost: Around $3-$5 for a large container of cayenne pepper.
Coffee Grounds
Spread used coffee grounds around your garden beds. Not only can the strong scent mask the smell of plants, coffee is known to deter squirrels.
Cost: Free (if you drink coffee at home), otherwise around $2-$5 for a bag of coffee grounds.
Human or Pet Hair
Spread clippings of human or pet hair around your garden. The scent of predators may deter squirrels from venturing too close. If your dog is a shedder, clean your brush often and put the hair inside of used pantyhose.
Cost: Free (if you have access to hair clippings), otherwise free if you can ask a local hair salon for clippings.
Vinegar Spray
Mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle and apply it to areas frequented by squirrels. The strong odor can deter them from returning. For a more pleasant smell, refer to this vinegar spray here
Cost: Around $2-$3 for a large bottle of vinegar.
Mothballs
Place mothballs around the garden perimeter or near vulnerable plants. The strong scent can repel squirrels and all kinds of rodents.
Cost: Around $3-$5 for a small box of mothballs.
Fake Snakes or Owls
Position plastic or rubber snakes or owls strategically around your garden. The sight of a predator can scare off squirrels.
Cost: Around $5-$10 each for a plastic snake or owl. Free snakes in the old toybox!
Bird Netting
Cover plants or garden beds with bird netting to physically block access to squirrels.
Cost: Around $5-$10 for a roll of bird netting.
Wire Screening
Install mesh screening or chicken wire around garden beds or individual plants to create a physical barrier against squirrels. Create cages for extra vulnerable plants.
Cost: Around $5-$10 for a roll of mesh screening.
Motion-Activated Sprinklers
Install motion-activated sprinklers in your garden. When squirrels approach, the sudden burst of water will scare them away.
Cost: Around $30-$40 per sprinkler.
Baking Soda
Sprinkle baking soda around the base of plants or in areas frequented by squirrels. The taste can deter them from nibbling on plants. Be careful not to use this on fruit bearing plants.
Cost: Around $1-$2 for a box of baking soda.
Predator Urine
Sprinkle or spray predator urine (such as fox or coyote urine) around your garden perimeter. The scent can deter squirrels. Used kitty litter can also be sprinkled in ground holes to deter rodent digging.
Cost: Around $10-$15 for a bottle of predator urine. Used kitty litter is free
Garlic Cloves
Place garlic cloves or even the clove waste around your garden. The strong scent may deter squirrels from approaching.
Cost: Around $2-$3 for a bulb of garlic.
Scented Soap Pieces
Hang pieces of scented soap (like Irish Spring) around your garden. The strong fragrance can deter squirrels.
Cost: Around $1-$2 for a bar of scented soap.
Citrus Peels
Place citrus peels (lemons, oranges, etc.) around your garden. The strong scent can repel squirrels.
Cost: Free (if you eat citrus fruits), otherwise around $1-$2 for a citrus fruit.
Essential Oils
Mix peppermint or eucalyptus essential oils with water in a spray bottle and apply it to areas frequented by squirrels. The strong scent can deter them. Find our best homemade recipe here
Cost: Around $5-$10 for a bottle of essential oil.
Planting Squirrel-Resistant Plants
Choose plants that are less appealing to squirrels, such as daffodils, marigolds, hyacinths, or alliums.
Cost: Varies depending on the plants $3-$10.
Bird Feeders with Squirrel-Proof Mechanisms
Invest in squirrel-proof bird feeders with mechanisms that close off access to squirrels when they try to feed.
Cost: Around $20-$40 for a squirrel-proof bird feeder.
Slinky Toy
Attach a Slinky toy to bird feeders or tree branches. When squirrels try to climb, the Slinky will bounce them off.
Cost: Around $5-$10 for a Slinky toy.
Tinfoil Pie Plates
Hang tinfoil pie plates around your garden. The reflection and noise can scare off squirrels. Use clear fishing line if possible.
Cost: Free (if you have tinfoil pie plates), otherwise around $3-$5 for a pack.
Plastic Bottles Filled with Water
Hang plastic bottles filled with water near plants. The movement and reflection can deter squirrels.
Cost: Free (if you have plastic bottles), otherwise around $1-$2 for a bottle.
Motion-Activated Noise Maker
Install motion-activated noise makers in your garden. When squirrels approach, the sudden noise can scare them away.
Cost: Around $10-$20 per noise maker.
Bird Decoys with Moving Parts
Place bird decoys with moving parts in your garden. The movement can deter squirrels.
Cost: Around $5-$10 for a bird decoy.
DIY Scarecrow with Shiny Objects
Create a DIY scarecrow using shiny objects like aluminum foil or CDs. The movement and reflection can deter squirrels.
Cost: Free (if you have shiny objects), otherwise around $3-$5 for a roll of aluminum foil or a pack of CDs.
Remember, squirrels are smart and curious. Many of the above deterrents will work, for most squirrels but it’s important to use a variety of methods.
If a squirrel gets used to something, that is normal, just implement a new idea and keep them guessing.
