Pumpkins are tempting treats for squirrels. If you have a Halloween pumpkin on your porch and are concerned about squirrels chewing it up, here are some strategies to keep them away.
The best solution is to use a commercial repellent. Look for one made with rotten eggs. These repellents have a strong odor, especially right after they are applied. The smell should fade as the repellent dries, but you might want to spray your pumpkin away from the house.
The scent of a dog or cat can keep squirrels away. Sprinkle some pet hair around your pumpkin.
You can also mix hot pepper sauce, water, and a drop of dish soap or vegetable oil to help it stick to the pumpkin. You will need to spray the pumpkin every day and after it rains.
Tabasco sauce can be an effective repellent, but it can be messy and can stain the pumpkin and your porch.
Squirrels are repelled by the smell of white distilled vinegar. Vinegar can damage the pumpkin’s skin, so you can try putting some in a small bowl near the pumpkin.
You can make a mixture of one part eucalyptus oil and 10 parts water with a drop of dish soap or vegetable oil to help it stick. Apply it with a cotton ball and repeat daily and after it rains.
Squirrels dislike sticky substances. You can cover your pumpkin with a heavy coating of petroleum jelly or a vapor rub. This can last for weeks.
You can also coat your pumpkin with a lacquer spray and let it dry and harden. This will keep away some squirrels, but not all. The spray needs to be applied to the entire pumpkin.
Another solution is to spray the entire pumpkin with hairspray to create a sticky texture. You will need to reapply it every day or two and after it rains.
Owls are natural predators for squirrels. You can frighten squirrels by placing an owl statue near the pumpkin.
Another option is to place a motion-activated device near the pumpkin to frighten away squirrels.
