Looking for the best squirrel repellent for your home or yard? Great! You’re in the right place.
In this Pest Strategies review of squirrel repellents you can expect to learn:
- Our Overall #1 Best Squirrel Repellent
- What Squirrel Repellents Are And How They Work
- How Effective Certain Repellents Are For Your Squirrel Problem
- Differences Between Chemical and Ultrasonic Repellents
- How To Choose the Repellent(s) That Will Work For Your Squirrel Problem!
Our Top Pick
Hoont Solar Powered Motion Activated Ultrasonic Pest Repeller
- 3 ultrasonic frequencies to choose from
- Many reviewers solved their squirrel problems with these devices
- Solar powered and safe, eco-friendly option
Out of the products we reviewed specifically for squirrels, the most effective repellent goes to the Hoont Solar Powered, Motion Activated Ultrasonic Repeller!
Why?
We found it has the most amount of authentic positive feedback after use.
This is important.
If you look around the internet, you’ll find that there are A LOT of brands trying to sell these products. Most of them fill up their listings with fake reviews and outrageous claims.
If you check out the Hoont Repeller’s product page you actually get real people giving real feedback, specifically with their issues with squirrels.
Overall, we are a tad skeptical of pest repellers, but this model appears to be delivering the best results in its category.
If you’re considering a non-chemical approach to pest removal, we recommend giving these solar powered devices a go.
Top 5 Best Squirrel Repellents
As a recap of our list, here are the five squirrel repellents we looked at.
Our #1 pick went to the MaxMoxie, but you should also check out the others to see if any of them might be better suited for your particular situation.
Specifically, the GizmoMate is nice for those you who need an outdoor/indoor combination.
And whether you get an electronic repeller or a chemical one, always be careful with them. Electric shocks can cause significant injuries, while chemicals of any sort are dangerous to your eyes.
- Hoont Solar Powered Motion Activated, Ultrasonic Pest Repeller (our #1 pick for your yard)
- Hoont Motion Activated Jet Blaster (Great solution depending on your yard setup)
- MaxMoxie Repeller
- All Natural Rodent Defense Spray (a non-chemical repellent spray)
- I Must Garden Squirrel Repellent
1. Hoont Solar Powered Motion Activated, Ultrasonic Pest Repeller (our #1 pick for your yard)
Hoont has been creating some of the more unique solutions in the pest control space for quite some time now, and these solar powered ultrasonic repellers are some of the most effective, yet humane devices we’ve come across!
Just place these spiked devices near your yard and garden areas you wish to keep safe from squirrels and other pests, and let the ultrasonic frequencies and flashing strobe repel these creatures all day round.
Batteries are required to guarantee the device works if and when the solar energy stored is not enough, but they are included with the device when you order.
The Good:
- Humane pest repellent solution
- Very promising reviews for a difficult pest problem to solve
- Includes the required 3 AA Batteries
The Bad:
- Some mixed reviews, may not work everyone
Features:
- Solar Powered, Motion Activated
- Humane and Effective
- Many Positive Reviews for Squirrel Problems
2. Hoont Motion Activated Jet Blaster (Great solution depending on your yard setup)
These motion activated blasters pack quite the punch! Enough to get rid of squirrels and pests bothering your garden and designated areas of your yard where they may be causing harm.
If you have access to a hose hookup, the Hoont Jet Blasters are a very unique and effective solution to your squirrel problem. While some of the reviews are mixed, a lot of customers with squirrel problems have found these to work quite well.
Easy to assemble, and quick to setup, these were sure to make it to the top of our list. Just place the spike into the ground,
There are limited options when dealing with squirrels, and this is certainly one of the best ways to keep these pests out of your garden without harming them!
The Good:
- Unique and effective solution to your squirrel problem
- Repels both squirrels and other garden pests
- Humane solution
The Bad:
- Requires 4 AA Batteries (Not Included)
Features:
- Full Range Water Blast Intervals
- Motion Activated Sensor
- Humane and Effective
3. All Natural Rodent Defense Spray (a non-chemical repellent spray)
This is a ready-to-use chemical spray made from all natural ingredients. It contains .025% garlic oil, .0495% peppermint oil, .0225% rosemary oil, .0255% white pepper, and inert ingredients of water and vinegar at 98.877%.
This combination is used by professional exterminators with varying degrees of success. The combination of smell and taste works together to repel and discourage squirrels and other critters.
This product works best in dry climates but it can be used in wet, humid ones if you’re willing to re-spray after each rain as well as twice a week to maintain a good barrier around your house, trashcans, etc. There is a one-gallon version available for those kinds of very wet environments.
The barrier, which needs to be re-applied twice a week, needs to be three feet wide, all the way around every area that needs protecting. Do not spray it directly on food or feed crop areas. It doesn’t have any harsh chemical smells, but you wouldn’t want to eat it.
An interesting trick is to soak several rags with this product then seal them inside a zip-lock baggie. Punch a few holes in the plastic and put the bags around the base of some trees. This creates a high concentration of repellent that is also fairly safe from the weather. The squirrels really don’t like it.
The Good:
- Easy to apply
- Completely safe
- No chemical smell
- Excellent track record of success
The Bad:
- Needs to be sprayed in large volume to reach efficiency
- Has to be re-applied regularly
Features:
- All Natural Spray
- No Bad Odor
- Safe Around Pets and Kids
4. I Must Garden Squirrel Repellent
This granular squirrel repellent from I Must Garden stops squirrels from digging in gardens and flower beds. It contains ingredients that are safe for the environment but the kind that small animals hate.
This versatile repellent will get rid of squirrels and chipmunks around gardens but is kind to plants. It’s labeled for use around vegetables, flowers, and seedlings. And it’s non-toxic, so it’s safe to use around children and pets.
I Must Garden Squirrel Repellent granules are easy to use. Just flip the top of the shaker container, and sprinkle some around the areas needed. There’s no foul odor, and each treatment lasts up to 30 days in dry conditions.
The Good:
- Eco-friendly ingredients
- Labeled for use with most vegetables and flowers
- No chemical or toxic odors
- Convenient packaging, no equipment needed
The Bad:
- Does not work to keep squirrels off bird feeders
- May not be effective in larger garden areas
- There may be more economical alternatives
Features:
- Eco-friendly ingredients
- Labeled for use with most vegetables and flowers
- Convenient packaging, no equipment needed
5. MaxMoxie Repeller
Out of the repellers we looked out, the MaxMoxie had the most authentic reviews.
Most of the other repellers you’ll notice have a ton of fake reviews and/or reviews that claim the product didn’t work.
The MaxMoxie is rated to repel mice, roaches, mosquitoes, spiders, and other various pests. Its ultrasonic waves cover up to 1200sq. ft and it can be placed in most house rooms (attic, garage, etc).
Some users reported effective elimination of mice, cockroaches, and ants.
This one goes on back order quite a bit so pick it up quick.
The Good:
- Easy to use with impressive track record
- Works if you give it time
- Good coverage area
- Excellent customer service
The Bad:
- Price can be fairly high
- Needs to be flushed on the floor or ground
Features:
- For Indoor / Garage Use
- Repels Additional Pests
- Easy to Install
What Kinds of Repellents Exist for Squirrels?
But when it comes to squirrels, many people would prefer alternative methods so they don’t have to case physical harm to these animals.
Squirrels are perhaps the most common nuisance wildlife there is in the United States. From Los Angeles, CA, to Birmingham, AL, and on up to Indianapolis, IN, you can find squirrels. Which leaves a lot of people needing to find some form of squirrel repellent.
Basically, there are two major types of squirrel repellents – the ultrasonic and the chemical type. Now let’s move further down to their details.
What are ultrasonic repellents and do they work?
Ultrasonic is any sound wave above 20,000 hertz (20 kilohertz aka 20 kHz), which is above the ability of the human ear to detect it. Dog whistles, for instance, are usually in the range of 23 to 54 kHz.
Dogs can hear them but people can’t. Most animals, including squirrels, can hear ultrasonic sounds. Studies at the University of Toledo found that squirrels can 49 kHz.
Ultrasonic repellents work by emitting variable pitches of ultrasonic sound in a beat and tempo designed to irritate, frighten, and repel squirrels (and other rodents) from a given area. They usually consist of one or more devices set out in a pattern with overlapping fields of sound.
Results for ultrasonic repellents are mixed at best. A great deal of anecdotal evidence suggests they do work.
While anecdotal evidence is usually taken with a grain of salt (when enough of it builds up), it becomes difficult to ignore the facts with a clear conscience. Ignoring it past that point seems to be a matter of “follow the money, honey” where someone has a financial incentive for denying their results.
Equally compelling, however, are collegiate articles which claim ultrasonic repellents don’t work at all. The interesting thing about these articles is that while they appear to be scholarly works, they don’t quote any actual studies or methodologies.
In all our research, we couldn’t find any actual studies on the subject. In other words, they claim ultrasonic sounds don’t work, but without offering any evidence to support their position – all the while berating the other side for a lack of rigorous evidence!
What about chemical repellents?
If the evidence is a mixed bag for ultrasonic repellents, what about chemical ones? Unfortunately, we find the same thing here as well.
Homemade repellents, such as mothballs, cayenne pepper, or ammonia are touted by many, claiming they work because squirrels don’t like the smell.
In my 14½ years as a pest control technician I’ve encountered a number of people who have tried these methods, then told me how disappointed they were when it didn’t make any difference. One woman actually found a Copperhead snake happily sunning itself in the middle of a bunch of mothballs on her back porch.
So much for home remedies!
Commercial repellents have a somewhat better track record, however, persistence is essential. Chemical barriers must be constantly maintained and chemicals must be replaced after heavy rains or winds.
If they aren’t replaced right way, don’t blame the repellents for failing to keep the squirrels away. They can only work if you’re dead serious in getting the job done. But there are other natural odors that may be competing with them, acting like a Push Me Pull You from Doctor Dolittle.
How Should You Choose a Repellent?
Because the evidence for both ultrasonic and chemical repellents are so mixed, you’ll have to do some research. Correction, you’ll have to do a lot of research.
You’ll have to read a lot of material, searching hither and thither for information. Then you’ll have to collate it all, weigh it in the balance, and make a decision about which one to get.
Or . . . you could let us do all that work and simply read reviews like this to give you a quick summary of what’s available and which are the best for the price.
This short video below will give you more helpful ideas in getting rid of squirrels.
