Q&A – How do I keep the squirrels from stripping the bark off my maple tree?
Question:
Squirrels are stripping the bark off my maple trees. The trees are close to fences and other trees so metal banding on the trunk won’t work. I have a fake owl and aluminum foil hanging in the tree, and now I’m starting to use peppermint oil. I also have a dog. How do I keep the squirrels off?
Answer:
This is a hard one. Squirrels have become accustomed to living around people so there is not much you can do to scare them off. Shooting is a viable option if you live in a place where that is allowed. If you try to keep them away, plastic owls or snakes are only effective for a short time before the squirrels figure out that they are fake. If you move them regularly, they will work for longer. Repellents, oils, and scents may work but they will need to be reapplied because they are going to wash off in the rain.
Related Resources:
Tree Squirrels: Managing Habitat and Controlling Damage
Squirrel Control
Tree Squirrels
Squirrels are stripping the bark off my maple trees. The trees are close to fences and other trees so metal banding on the trunk won’t work. I have a fake owl and aluminum foil hanging in the tree, and now I’m starting to use peppermint oil. I also have a dog. How do I keep the squirrels off?
Answer:
This is a hard one. Squirrels have become accustomed to living around people so there is not much you can do to scare them off. Shooting is a viable option if you live in a place where that is allowed. If you try to keep them away, plastic owls or snakes are only effective for a short time before the squirrels figure out that they are fake. If you move them regularly, they will work for longer. Repellents, oils, and scents may work but they will need to be reapplied because they are going to wash off in the rain.
Related Resources:
Tree Squirrels: Managing Habitat and Controlling Damage
Squirrel Control
Tree Squirrels