Feeding squirrels to get rid of them doesn’t work and can actually make the problem worse. Instead of leaving, they’ll keep coming back expecting food and may even invite more squirrels to your property.
Squirrels might look cute scampering around your yard, but once they start raiding your bird feeders, chewing through your attic, or nesting in your walls, the charm wears off fast. If you’ve ever wondered what you can feed squirrels to get rid of them, you’re not alone, but the truth is, this approach backfires more often than it helps.
Can Certain Foods Make Squirrels Go Away?
Some homeowners try tossing spicy food, garlic, or even citrus peels around the yard thinking it’ll drive squirrels away. While certain strong smells like capsaicin and peppermint oil can irritate a squirrel’s nose, they’re not consistent or reliable enough to solve an infestation.
These animals are clever, persistent, and often ignore deterrents when food or shelter is on the line. What’s worse, using food as a “repellent” can accidentally create a buffet for other critters like raccoons, rats, or stray cats. Instead of deterring squirrels, you might just be training them to check your yard more often. Feeding, even with a bad-tasting snack, encourages exploration and reinforces their interest in your space.
What Happens If You Feed Squirrels Intentionally?
Feeding squirrels might seem harmless, even helpful, but it quickly turns into an open invitation for trouble. Once they know food is available, squirrels will keep returning, and often bring their friends. This behavior leads to increased activity around your home, more chances of property damage, and a greater risk of them nesting in your attic, shed, or crawlspaces.
In some cities and counties, feeding wild animals like squirrels is actually illegal due to the health and safety risks it creates. Encouraging squirrels to hang around can lead to aggressive behavior, especially if they begin associating humans with handouts. Even worse, close contact increases the risk of disease transmission or bites, especially if the animals become too comfortable.
Are There Any Foods That Can Safely Deter Squirrels?
While there are a few foods and additives that squirrels tend to dislike, none are a guaranteed fix. Ingredients like capsaicin (found in hot peppers), bitter apple spray, or peppermint oil are sometimes used to coat birdseed or surfaces, and they may discourage nibbling in specific spots.
However, squirrels are known to adapt quickly, and these tricks lose effectiveness over time, especially if there’s other easy food nearby. Sprinkling these deterrents around your yard might offer short-term results, but relying on food-based solutions alone rarely works long-term.
In fact, applying repellent to food still risks attracting squirrels in the first place, only for them to explore further after a sniff or taste. The better approach is eliminating what attracts them rather than trying to “feed them away.
Why Feeding Is a Trap, Not a Solution
Feeding squirrels to drive them away creates a cycle that’s hard to break. Once they recognize your yard as a reliable food source, they’ll return frequently, scout for shelter, and may even get territorial. What starts as a small visit can quickly turn into a full-blown infestation with multiple entry points and nesting areas on your property.
Even worse, regular feeding removes the natural fear squirrels have of humans. This can lead to aggressive behavior, property damage, and contamination from urine or droppings. Instead of solving the problem, feeding locks you into it, making your home a magnet for rodents, not a squirrel-free zone.
Smart & Humane Ways to Keep Squirrels Away (What to Do Instead)
Instead of trying to trick squirrels with food, focus on removing what attracts them in the first place. Secure garbage bins, bring pet food indoors, and install squirrel-proof bird feeders to cut off easy meals. Trim back tree branches that touch your roof, seal attic vents, and patch up any gaps or holes where squirrels might try to sneak inside.
Motion-activated sprinklers, ultrasonic devices, and light-based deterrents can also help disrupt their habits without harming them. For stubborn cases, professional wildlife removal ensures squirrels are safely relocated and future access is blocked. At AAAC Wildlife Removal, we don’t just remove squirrels, we make sure they stay gone for good.
When to Call a Wildlife Removal Expert
If you’re hearing scratching sounds in the attic, noticing chewed wires, or finding squirrel droppings around your home, it’s time to bring in a pro. These are clear signs that the squirrels have moved in, not just passed through. DIY methods might slow them down, but they rarely stop a determined squirrel from nesting where it feels safe and fed.
Professional wildlife removal services like AAAC Wildlife Removal know exactly how to locate entry points, humanely remove the animals, and squirrel-proof your property. We also check for any damage they’ve caused and offer cleanup to prevent lingering odors or bacteria. When it comes to squirrels, a quick response makes all the difference between a simple fix and a long-term problem.
The Smarter Way to Handle Squirrel Problems
Feeding squirrels to get rid of them might seem like a clever shortcut, but it almost always backfires. Instead of leaving, squirrels become more confident, more destructive, and harder to remove, especially if they find a cozy attic or an easy snack nearby.
The smarter move is to eliminate attractants, secure your home, and call in the pros when needed. At AAAC Wildlife Removal, we specialize in humane, long-term squirrel control that protects your home and keeps your yard squirrel-free without relying on risky DIY tricks.
Don’t Feed the Problem, Fix It for Good
Still thinking about tossing food to make squirrels leave? Save yourself the frustration and let AAAC Wildlife Removal handle it the right way. Our experts use safe, effective, and humane strategies to stop squirrels from turning your home into their personal snack bar.
We’ll seal up entry points, remove attractants, and make sure these clever critters stay gone for good. Call AAAC Wildlife Removal today and reclaim your attic, yard, and peace of mind.
