7 Easy Ways to Keep Squirrels Out of Your Shed

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Spotting squirrels on your property now and then is a normal occurrence. Some people actually like to see those cute little creatures swooshing around.

Yet, when they start trespassing, all that cuteness fades away. As you begin to notice the destruction caused by those innocent-eyed critters, you might need to learn how to keep squirrels out of your shed.

Luckily, there are many methods you can try to solve such an issue. In this article, you’ll find a few practical ones that are easy to apply. So, keep reading to learn how you can effectively protect your shed from squirrel invasion.

1 – Block All Entry Points Leading to Your Shed

The first thing you need to do is take the time to check for holes around or near your shed. After all, there have to be some entrances the squirrels use to get in and mess with your stuff.

More than likely, there are going to be small holes somewhere right by the shed that you’ll need to fill up. If you close off all the holes found near the shed, you’ll be able to effectively prevent the squirrels from getting back in.

In addition to that, you should also check for any gaps or cracks along the shed’s walls and roof. Then, use a sealant to block these holes. No matter how small you think it is, it never hurts to fill those gaps.

As an extra measure, you need to double-check for other openings. In case your shed has vents of some sort, you can always cover them with metal mesh.

That said, this doesn’t guarantee that squirrels won’t be digging other holes again, though. Regardless, it’s a necessary step that should prevent easy entry into the shed. Moreover, it might deter the squirrels from bothering to come back.

2 – Use a Commercial Squirrel Repellent

Using a squirrel repellent is another successful method that works greatly. It will most likely be your best option when you have a serious issue with those little critters.

Fortunately, many different products are available on the market that work excellently in deterring squirrels. The most effective of all is the ones containing fox urine.

That’s mainly because foxes are natural predators to squirrels. When squirrels smell that fox urine odor, their first instinct is to escape and stay away from that area. It somehow tricks them into thinking your shed is some type of fox den.

Having said that, you can find other squirrel repellents that use different methods as well. So, you might want to experiment and find out what works best for your case.

Primarily, all you need to do is spray the area around your shed with one of these products and wait for the magic to happen.

Most of these squirrel repellents last at least four weeks before fading away. However, some other types can last longer than that, depending on the climate in your region.

Advice for Applying Squirrel Repellent

When it comes to applying the squirrel repellent, you may need to do things in a certain way. Here are a few tips to guide you through the process.

• Try and create a barrier with the squirrel repellent that extends a little bit out from the shed itself (for best results, aim to spray a three-foot imaginary boundary)
• If you have lots of squirrels in your area, remember to use the repellent again when the effect has worn off (you have to reapply the squirrel repellent every four to six weeks).
• Follow the directions printed on the repellent’s package properly to take care of your squirrel issue optimally.

3 – Try DIY Repellents

Maybe you don’t like to spend money on getting a commercial squirrel repellent. Plus, you hate for your shed area to smell nasty. Well, one good alternative is to prepare your own DIY squirrel repellent.

Luckily, those little rodents have an unbelievably strong sense of smell. As such, you can make use of this feature and turn it against them. How, you ask? Just spread around the smells they resent. Here are a few of the scents that may repel squirrels.

A. Apple Cider Vinegar

One of the scents that are unappealing to squirrels is apple cider vinegar. Therefore, it should be able to keep them away from your shed if you apply it properly.

What most people do is take a sponge and soak it in pure apple cider vinegar. Then, they place it near the shed. Sitting there, it emits a strong vinegar odor that repels those tiny intruders.

Although simple, this method might be worth a shot. That’s because it’s both cost-effective and easy to pull off.

That said, you might want to reconsider the idea if you have garden beds nearby. Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic and can harm plants or even kill them.

B. Spices

Another widely accessible solution for many is using spices. Paying a brief visit to your kitchen cabinets, you can find some seasonings to help you.

For example, you can sprinkle ground cinnamon around your shed. Alternatively, you may try using pepper. Whether white, black, or even paprika, squirrels despise the smell.

For a more lasting smell, switch the powder version to oils. Mixing cinnamon oil with peppermint oil or cayenne extract can work wonders. Additionally, creating a solution from Tabasco sauce and water can be a fantastic idea too.

Despite being effective to some extent, these repellents don’t last long. As such, they require constant reapplication (at least twice a week and whenever it rains).

C. Garlic

When thinking of a strong smell around the kitchen, garlic always pops to mind. It’s one of the strongest odors among vegetables, and for squirrels, it’s dreadful.

You can use store-bought garlic-based sprays or make your own at home. Yet, the downside of it is that it fades away quickly. As such, it doesn’t work as a long-standing fix.

As a combination of the previous options, you can try making a mix of chopped garlic, vinegar, and pepper.

Overall, keep in mind that this fix works just as vinegar and spices do. For all of them to be effective, they need frequent application.

D. Laundry Detergent

For a non-organic alternative, you can opt for solutions from the laundry cabinet. Products such as soap, dryer sheets, fabric softeners, or mothballs all have powerful scents that can repel squirrels.

On the whole, the effectiveness of these methods only lasts as long as they keep emitting odors. Once these scents fade away, they lose their powers.

4 – Take the Time to Trim Trees

Another problem you might overlook is that squirrels climb and jump on things. If you have many trees around your shed, they can facilitate those little creatures’ way into your shed through the roof.

One of the most practical ways to alleviate this problem is to trim your trees well. You just need to take the time and get on a ladder to cut those branches extending too close above your shed. Ideally, you need to keep them at least six to eight feet away.

Of course, if you have large trees that happen to be right near the shed, there might be only so much you can do. Removing trees just because of these squirrels isn’t the wisest action.

All in all, do what you can to make it harder for the squirrels to get into your shed. So, if that solution doesn’t apply to your case, move on to the next one.

5 – Turn on a Radio Near the Shed

Did you know that squirrels are less likely to go near your shed if it’s noisy?

This is an interesting tip that might help you take care of your problem without all the hassle. Just place a radio near your shed area, turn it on, and leave it that way. Doing so guarantees no squirrels would want to go nearby.

Principally, squirrels don’t mind some music. Usually, harmonies don’t scare them away. Instead, it’s the human voices that can frighten them. So, try to tune in to a talk station and see what happens. 

Be careful, though. If you have close neighbors, make sure the radio isn’t too loud. After all, you don’t want to bother them. Just have some subtle noise and see if it makes a difference.

In some cases, people have reported that doing so was enough to keep squirrels too scared to go near their sheds.

6 – Make Use of Light

Another thing to know about squirrels is that they prefer darkness. So, they’re not as likely to want to get into your shed if it’s lit up properly. If you do so, you’ll make the place a much less attractive target for squirrels.

As a start, you can try to place lights on your shed and see if it makes a difference over the next week. Some security lights shining right on the shed might also do the trick.

Such an option is appealing, especially if you happen to have some lights you can use already.

7 – Consider Calling an Exterminator

Finally, if everything fails or you don’t have time to deal with the problem, you may call a professional exterminator.

These experts can handle a squirrel infestation and are ready to assist you whenever you need them. Whether to apply repellents or fill in holes, they have their own methods.

They might even be able to take things a step further and eliminate areas where squirrels are nesting. Whatever the issue, you can consult exterminators about what they can do to help you.

However, the downside to going this route is that it costs money. In fact, it’s the most expensive solution on this list.

While dealing with the issue yourself might be more cost-effective, some prefer hiring professionals. In all cases, the decision is yours to make.

Enjoy Your Squirrel-Free Shed

Now that you know what to do to keep squirrels out of your shed, you should be more relieved. After all, this place is meant to be an area to store your tools and handle gardening endeavors, not a source of stress.

Whether you decide to go for a DIY repellent, a commercial repellent, or other solutions, it’s up to you. The list of options you have to handle the problem is extensive, and you know what needs to be done.

You just need to be patient, and your shed will get back to normal soon enough. So, the next time you use it, you won’t have to worry about things getting messed up inside.

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