Squirrels can be very cute and friendly creatures but are also known for eating and ruining almost anything left in the yard – including hammocks. Here are a few simple ways I have found to help rid your yard of squirrels and prevent them from eating your hammock.
Squirrels are known to search for materials to use in their nests and will often choose the easiest options available. A helpful strategy to deter squirrels is to use smells that are unpleasant or potentially threatening to them.
Some effective scents for this purpose include:
- White pepper
- Black pepper
- Garlic
- Peppermint
- Natural predator urine
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Dog or Cat Natural Odor
In addition to using these scents, homeowners can also take steps such as removing food sources, clearing the yard of loose nuts and berries, and allowing pets to roam the yard in order to signal to squirrels that the property is not a suitable or desirable place to visit.
Let’s break down these tips and tricks to better explain how to stop squirrels from eating your hammock.
1. Remove Food Sources and Common Attractions
Feeding squirrels, or any other animals, can cause them to associate your home with a reliable food source. This can lead to increased squirrel activity around your house and even bring additional squirrels to your yard. To prevent this from happening, it’s important not to feed squirrels or attract them to your yard in any way. This includes avoiding scattering plant seeds and keeping all food securely stored in compost bins.
Activities such as birdwatching and the use of bird feeders can also attract squirrels to your yard. To reduce the chances of squirrels accessing bird feeders, consider using squirrel-proof feeders, which are designed to keep squirrels away from the food meant for local birds.
Clean Your Yard of Loose Berries and Nuts
Nearby fruit-bearing or nut trees can be great to have but are also one of the main sources of attraction for the average neighborhood squirrel. If you do have nearby trees or vegetation, you should continually look to remove any potential food sources that may attract them. This includes fruit and nuts that have fallen from trees or plants in your yard. To effectively clean up these items, follow these steps:
- Gather any visible fruit or nuts from the ground. Use a rake or broom to sweep up any that are hard to reach or hidden in grass or under plants.
- Check for any fruit or nuts that may be stuck in tree branches or other hard-to-reach areas. Use a long-handled tool or ladder to remove these items if necessary.
- Place all collected fruit and nuts in a compost bin or bag for disposal.
- Regularly check your yard for fallen fruit or nuts and remove them as needed to prevent attracting squirrels and other animals.
By consistently cleaning up fallen fruit and nuts, you can help to reduce the appeal of your yard to squirrels and other critters.
2. Use Strong Odors Around the House
Using strong odors around your house can be an effective way to deter squirrels and keep them away from your property. Some strong odors that are known to repel squirrels include:
- White pepper: Sprinkling white pepper around the perimeter of your yard or around specific areas where squirrels are a problem can help to deter them.
- Black pepper: Similar to white pepper, black pepper can be used to create an unpleasant smell that squirrels will want to avoid.
- Garlic: The strong smell of garlic can be off-putting to squirrels, making it an effective deterrent.
- Peppermint: Squirrels are sensitive to the smell of peppermint and may avoid areas where it is present.
- Natural predator urine: The smell of a natural predator’s urine can be intimidating to squirrels and can help to keep them away.
To use these strong odors as deterrents, you can sprinkle them around the perimeter of your yard or around specific areas where squirrels are a problem. Keep in mind that the effectiveness of these odors may vary and it may be necessary to try a combination of different methods to effectively deter squirrels. Also, don’t forget to sprinkle these scents on again after storms too.
Additionally, a pet dog or cat will naturally give off an odor and should signal squirrels to stay away. This makes it a perfect choice for those wanting to go a more simple and natural route.
3. Spray Squirrel Deterrents
Sometimes squirrels can be more persistent and harder to detour. In these cases, you can use commercial repellents to drive them away. Commercial repellants mimic the odor and are easy to apply. Coyote and red fox urine seem to work the best, so consider purchasing sprays or liquids that either contain or mimic these odors.
Around the house and hammock areas, use towels doused in apple cider vinegar to deter squirrels. The strong odor should deter squirrels for a while, but the towels will need to be refreshed and replaced periodically to keep the deterrent effect.
4. Natural Predators Can Scare Squirrels Away
The presence of natural predators can be an effective way to deter squirrels from entering your yard or causing damage. For example, the presence of a dog or cat may be enough to frighten squirrels away. If you notice squirrels in your yard, letting your pet out to roam around may help to drive them away. Repeating this behavior a few times can help squirrels to learn that your yard is not a safe or desirable place to be.
If you don’t have a dog or cat, you can also use decoys of natural predators, such as plastic owls, to scare squirrels away. Placing these decoys on fence posts or on your roof can create the illusion of a predator is present, which may be enough to keep squirrels at bay. Squirrels are naturally skittish animals and will often avoid areas where they perceive a predator to be present. If you have frequent squirrel “visitors,” using natural predator decoys or pets to create the illusion of a predator can be a simple and effective deterrent.
5. Protect from Squirrels and Weather by Storing your Hammock
Proper storage of your hammock can help to protect it from squirrel damage when it is not in use. We’ve written a Hammock Storage Guide to help you store your hammock when it’s not in use. In the meantime, here are a few tips for storing your hammock to keep it safe from squirrels:
- Keep your hammock stored in a shed or garage when not in use. This will prevent squirrels from accessing it and causing damage.
- If you don’t have a shed or garage, consider using a waterproof cover to protect your hammock while it is stored.
- Avoid storing your hammock near trees or other structures that squirrels may use to access it.
- Regularly inspect your hammock for signs of damage or chewing and repair or replace it as needed.
6. Observe the activity level of squirrels in your area
Squirrel activity can be more subtle in some areas than others.
Observing the activity level of squirrels in your area can be helpful in determining the most effective strategies for deterring them. Here are a few tips for monitoring squirrel activity in your yard:
- Keep an eye on areas where squirrels are commonly spotted, such as bird feeders, trees, and shrubs.
- Pay attention to the time of day when squirrel activity is most common. This can help you to determine the best time to implement deterrent measures.
- Look for signs of squirrel activity, such as chew marks, scratched or dug-up areas, and tracks.
By closely observing squirrel activity in your yard, you can gather valuable information that will help you to tailor your deterrent efforts and effectively reduce squirrel activity in your area. One thing to keep in mind is natural predators could be attracted to your local area if there are lots of squirrels around. This means you should not only be on the lookout for squirrels but also check for snakes and other critters while hammocking.
Conclusion
In conclusion, deterring squirrels from your yard involves a combination of preventative measures and ongoing efforts to reduce their activity. By taking steps to remove potential food sources, using strong odors, and implementing other deterrent strategies, you can effectively reduce squirrel activity in your yard and protect your hammock and equipment from damage. Remember that prevention is key – taking early action to prevent squirrels from becoming a problem can help to ensure the safety of your belongings and minimize the impact on the local wildlife. With the right approach, you can enjoy a squirrel-free yard and protect your hammock from these little critters.
If you do have other animals bothering you while hammocking, check out our article on Hammock Camping Safely from Animals.
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