For many homeowners, squirrels are not a major cause for concern. The nimble bushy-tailed rodents even provide some amusing antics as they skitter over tree branches and fences.

The creatures become more problematic when they raid your garden or make their way into your home. Squirrels may munch on your fruits and vegetables, dig up flower bulbs, or raid your bird feeder. They can also find a way into your attic and set up a nest there.

If you are experiencing problems with squirrels, a few strategic deterrents can keep them from causing damage. In some cases, it might be more appropriate to trap and remove the animals.

Garden

You might need to try a few different methods to try to keep squirrels from eating your crops, or even use a combination of tactics. Julie Ryan Evans, writing for the National Association of Realtors, says something that will deter one squirrel may not have the same effect on another squirrel.

Certain odors can work well to repel squirrels. The Old Farmer's Almanac says these include cayenne pepper, garlic, mint, or even human or dog hair. Chemical repellents, which often include capsaicin to drive off squirrels, are also available. Sarah Littleton, writing for the home improvement professional Bob Vila, says these scents may have to be reapplied after a rainy day.

Some plants are unattractive to squirrels, making them a good choice for a garden border. Daffodils can be effective, as can plants such as marigolds, nasturtium, hyacinth, and mustard.

Squirrels may be driven off by their reflection in a shiny surface. The Old Farmer's Almanac says sheets of aluminum foil can be stretched over the top of container plants to keep the creatures at bay. Old CDs placed in the garden can also drive squirrels away.

A burst of water from a sprinkler can give squirrels an unpleasant surprise if they venture too close to your plants. Jessica Yonker, writing for HGTV, says motion-activated sprinklers are also good for deterring other animals such as deer. You'll just want to make sure they aren't being activated too often. The Old Farmer's Almanac says you can easily overwater your garden if pets or children are frequently causing the sprinkler to go off.

If these types of deterrents aren't working well to protect your edible plants, a physical barrier might be necessary. Netting will not only protect these plants from squirrels, but also keep animals such as birds and chipmunks from snacking on your crop. A strong mulch can also foil squirrels who try to dig up bulbs.

Dogs and cats can be very active in chasing off squirrels, but it all depends on how much your pet likes this particular activity. Evans says pet food should not be left where squirrels can access it, since they'll be more likely to come to your home if these bowls are out.

Squirrels may snack on a variety of seeds, berries, and other debris that collects in your yard. Yonker says raking the lawn can remove this food source and force squirrels to look elsewhere. You should also keep your trash cans tightly covered so squirrels won't forage for a meal inside them.

Bird feeders

Backyard birdwatchers are often frustrated to find that their birdseed is being devoured by squirrels instead of our feathered friends. Squirrels are quite agile and can easily make leaps of eight to 10 feet, so it can be challenging to keep them off the bird feeder.

Several bird feeders are specifically designed to discourage squirrels. They include "baffles," such as hoods that extend above or below the feeder, that make it difficult or impossible for a squirrel to access the birdseed even if they are able to make it onto the feeder.

Determined squirrels may eventually find a way around a baffle. The Old Farmer's Almanac says that if this occurs, you'll want to get a new feeder with new baffles to confuse the creatures.

Hanging a feeder on a wire or pulley system can help isolate the feeder away from tree branches or other points of access, making it harder for a squirrel to climb aboard. If the feeder is mounted on a pole, rubbing the pole down with vegetable shortening or another slippery material can keep the squirrel from climbing up.

Home

Squirrels usually enter the home if shrubs, trees, or other perches make it easy to access the roof or attic. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection says you may hear the squirrel scratching or gnawing after it gets into the home. Once inside, a squirrel can damage insulation, wiring, and other components and establish nests inside your walls or eaves.

Sealing entry points can prevent this problem before it occurs. Evans says you'll want to prune your vegetation a safe distance from the home, install chimney caps, and cover openings such as vents and soffits.

Smaller openings in your home can also provide access for squirrels. Dona Dezube, writing for the National Association of Realtors' home improvement site HouseLogic, says you can identify these breaches by going into the attic during the day and looking for areas where daylight is visible. Openings can be sealed with caulk, foam, flashing, or metal mesh.

Don't seal the attic unless you know there are no squirrels inside. DEEP says trapped squirrels can become agitated and cause damage. One option is to leave one opening uncovered, then drive out any remaining squirrels with bright lights or loud music.

A live trap will allow you to capture and relocate problem squirrels. Littleton says the trap should be checked twice a day, and any captured animals should be taken at least three miles away before they are released.

This method can often be ineffective due to the high population of squirrels, and you also risk separating a mother squirrel from her babies. Dezube says a wildlife control specialist will likely be better able to capture any squirrels in your attic and seal openings into your home.