% of people told us that this article helped them. No, they are not impacted by the pepper spray. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Any mesh fencing with 1" (2.5 cm) holes or smaller … To make the repellent fill an old milk jug with water, add 5 crushed garlic cloves, a teaspoon of crushed red peppers (you can save a packet from the pizza delivery for this) and 1 … Spray the hot pepper spray on and around surfaces you’d like the squirrels to stay away. To make the spray, get water, hot pepper flakes or chopped hot peppers, … One such repellent can be made by mixing garlic powder with hot pepper or chili. "Easy to follow and well written. This will make the spray more potent to scare them off! When I first began using red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper to deter our local pests (rabbits, javelina, deer, pack rats et al) I didn't think a thing … Her articles, short stories and reviews have appeared on City National Bank's website and on The Noseprint. Capsaicin is extremely toxic to bees and other beneficial pollinators, if your garden depends on them consider using a different repellent. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Never apply the spray in the middle of the day because the heat from the sun can cause the spray to “bake” the leaves and kill the plant. Strain the liquid through a metal strainer lined with a coffee filter into a 1-gallon container. It can simply work wonders when it comes to keeping rabbits, … Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Similarly, squirrels—like rabbits—don’t have a taste for spicy foods. What is the best way(s) to keep rabbits from eating my Asters and still be able to enjoy the flowers? There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Made from hot cayenne pepper… No, it would only taste like hot pepper sauce if you put it on your vegetables and then ate them immediately without washing them. A Repellent Spray Prepare 3 tablespoons of Tabasco sauce, dish soap and cayenne pepper. of liquid dish-washing soap and one egg white for about a minute in blender until thoroughly mixed. In this case, 97% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Do not use hot pepper spray near lakes, streams, or ponds. Most gardeners love to see wildlife in their garden, but animals like bears, rabbits, deer, and squirrels can be bothersome if they eat your plants and bird food. Caution: If you have pets in your yard, like cats and dogs, you may want to partition off any areas that you've sprayed. Some gardeners let their mixture sit for up to 48 hours for a very potent infusion. The Q&A at the end of the article is a great idea. Fill the 1-gallon container with water until it is full. How can I get rid of them? I have two small dogs in my yard (really they lay around the house most of the time) that love to chase rabbits… If rabbits don’t enjoy the taste of your plants, they will stop eating them. If you're not sure how sensitive plants will react to the spray, test a small area of a leaf first. ". The effect on aquatic life is unknown and it may harm your backyard fish. If you have squirrels who like to climb poles or hang from ledges, mix 1 teaspoon (5.3 g) of cayenne powder into 3 tablespoons (40 g) of petroleum jelly. Your pets can experience discomfort and burning sensations if they come in contact with or eat vegetation that has been sprayed with hot peppers. For application directly on fruits, vegetables and root crops to protect them from deer, rabbit, and squirrel predation. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Get-Rid-of-Animal-Pests-With-Hot-Pepper-Spray-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-Animal-Pests-With-Hot-Pepper-Spray-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Get-Rid-of-Animal-Pests-With-Hot-Pepper-Spray-Step-1.jpg\/aid642675-v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Animal-Pests-With-Hot-Pepper-Spray-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":308,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"487","licensing":"