Fall is here and that means squirrels are looking for a place to store their winter supply of nuts. Your car might seem like the perfect spot for them to stash their bounty. Unfortunately that can lead to some serious problems for you and your vehicle. Here’s how to protect your car from squirrels this season.
First take a look at your car and make sure there are no openings that a squirrel could use to get inside. Pay special attention to the area around the engine since that’s where they’re most likely to try to build their nest. If you find any openings seal them up with steel wool or another material that a squirrel can’t gnaw through.
Next take a look at the trees around your property and trim any branches that are close to your car. This will prevent squirrels from being able to jump onto your vehicle.
If you have a garage make sure to keep the door closed whenever your car is not in it. This will discourage squirrels from making their nest inside your garage.
Finally there are a few things you can do to deter squirrels from being interested in your car in the first place. One is to spray the area around your car with a squirrel repellent. There are a number of commercial products available or you can make your own using a mixture of water vinegar and cayenne pepper. Another option is to place a few mothballs underneath your car. Squirrels dislike the smell of mothballs and will stay away from areas where they’re present.
By taking these steps you can help prevent squirrels from damaging your car this winter.
What are some methods to prevent squirrels from damaging cars?
There are various methods that can be used to prevent squirrels from damaging cars such as removing potential food sources using physical barriers and using chemical repellents.
Why do squirrels damage cars?
Squirrels damage cars because they are either looking for food or nesting materials.
How can I remove potential food sources for squirrels?
You can remove potential food sources for squirrels by sealing up garbage cans picking up fallen fruit from trees and not feeding the squirrels.
What kind of physical barrier can I use to prevent squirrels from damaging my car?
One type of physical barrier that can be used to prevent squirrels from damaging cars is a squirrel-proof bird feeder.
What is a squirrel-proof bird feeder?
A squirrel-proof bird feeder is a type of feeder that has a baffle or weight-activated perch that closes the access hole when a squirrel lands on it preventing the squirrel from getting to the food.
What are some chemical repellents that will deter squirrels?
There are various chemical repellents that will deter squirrels such as mothballs coyote urine and PredatorPee.
How do I use mothballs to repell squirrels?
Mothballs can be used to repell squirrels by placing them in a mesh bag and suspending them from the car or by placing them in the engine compartment.
Will mothballs harm my car?
Mothballs may harm your car if they come into contact with the paint so it is important to be careful when using them.
How do I use coyote urine to repell squirrels?
Coyote urine can be used to repell squirrels by sprinkling it around the perimeter of the car.
Will coyote urine harm my car?
Coyote urine will not harm your car.
How do I use PredatorPee to repell squirrels?
PredatorPee can be used to repell squirrels by spraying it on the car or around the perimeter of the car.
Will PredatorPee harm my car?
PredatorPee will not harm your car.
What else can I do to prevent squirrels from damaging my car?
You can also try using a loud noise maker or a water sprayer to deter squirrels.
What is a loud noise maker?
A loud noise maker is a device that makes a loud noise such as a sonic bird house that can be used to deter squirrels.
What is a water sprayer?
A water sprayer is a device that sprays water such as a garden hose with a nozzle that can be used to deter squirrels.