Squirrels are loved by some and loathed by many as they can damage trees, eat flowers as well as ruin crops.
While it is not possible to stop their presence completely, there are ways to limit garden damage, including avoiding three mistakes.
1. Feeding birds
Limiting bird feeding is important to prevent squirrels and rodents in the garden as well as in the home.
As an alternative, use specialist bird feeders or a squirrel-proof plastic dome on the feeder to prevent squirrels from climbing up it.
However, even with this dome, some bird food may still drop onto the floor, which gives squirrels the perfect opportunity to eat it up and bury it in plants.
According to the RSPB, strong chilli powder or pepper sauce can also be dusted onto bird food.
Birds are thought to not be bothered by the powder, but squirrels cannot cope with the burning sensation and so will leave the food alone.
2. Not using effective plants
Jordan Foster from Fantastic Pest Control explained: “The smell of mint is very offensive to rats. Planting mint in different spots around your garden is an excellent way to keep rodents out.
“The smell of garlic is also repulsive to rats. If they get too close, they’ll think twice. Try squirting garlic water down a rat burrow.”
Garlic has several sulphur compounds that emit a pungent smell which rats hate. Other plants which can help to deter rats include daffodils, marigolds and lavender.
The pro added: “Imagine that one of our favourite smells, lavender, can have quite the opposite effect on rats.
“It can keep them from finding food because of its potent smell. Place it around decks, garden structures, and around the perimeter of your garden where rats might be attracted.”
3. Compost heaps
Matt Jordan, gardening expert for The Greenhouse People, said: “A soggy compost may attract rats for several reasons.
“Firstly, too much water can cause the compost to become anaerobic, which means there is not enough oxygen in the soil. Anaerobic compost heaps often have a foul smell, which attracts rats.
“Too much water also slows down the decomposition process. This means that food scraps, which attract rats, are likely to sit around in the compost heap for much longer than necessary.”
