Harriette Cole: I don't want the neighbor's kids at my house, Dear Abby: My wife said she doesn't like it, but it's part of my life, Ask Amy: I feel guilty for not speaking up about my co-worker's activities, Ask Amy: I'm your cabin housekeeper, and you apparently have no idea what I do. Owls are a predator species to squirrels. I'll report back when I have tried this tip on my fruit and hazelnut trees.". Squirrels fear screech owls a great deal. Tick time: When its wet watch out for these little hitchhikers As harmless as they look, squirrels wreak havoc on your house and yard. The biggest reason for this would be warmth and shelter. Thus when a squirrel is sneaking into the screech owl box, it does do under the assumption that the owl is not around. A little owl box should be fixed to a tree about 3m above ground.In the wild, small owls nest in trees, on cliffs and down rabbit holes. The expiration date on food is there for a reason. Firstly, there are situations in which squirrels seek to get into screech owl boxes to steal food. Squirrels reside on every continent except Antarctica, and there are now over 100 species. You want to observe and record the habits and activities of owls. The attic is the most likely place that squirrels live, so scope out the area and place the balls near their point of entry. Gravel is another wonderful alternative to mulch because it is far heavier. The expiration date also labeled Arew is the go-to source for all your home improvement, gardening, cooking, and family needs. What does a blinking blue light on a smoke detector mean? They also love to gnaw on wires and destroy insulation in our attics. To keep bees and wasps from colonizing the nest box, spray the inside of the top of the box with some non-stick cooking spray. ALWAYS GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR PERSONAL VETERINARIAN AND USE INFORMATION HERE AS GENERAL ADVICE. Where is the best place to put a screech owl box? Black pepper, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes can also be used to deter them. Once they learn your decoy is nothing to be afraid of, theyll move into your owl boxes. Mint is also an odor squirrels don't like. You may be able to obtain such (almost squirrel-proof) owl house plans free of charge on some websites. Because screech owls are ready to defend their nests, squirrels are unlikely to try to hijack an owl box when its in use. She enjoys gardening, birdwatching, and trying (in vain) to get butterflies to land on her. Mix equal parts cold water and white vinegar in a pot. This DIY squirrel repellent spray is the best way to keep squirrels away from your home and garden. The less time they spend in the area, the less likely they are to notice your owl box and move into it. Standard Pest Control also specializes in ant, bed bug, cockroach, fly, and rodent control. This means that it is most active at night, when it uses its sharp eyesight and hearing to locate its prey. Squirrels dont like the feel of heavy mulch because it makes the process more difficult. This article has been viewed 149,539 times. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Shake the water and spray the mixture around your home and trees to keep pests and insects away. You can also use safflower seeds for the birds instead of regular bird feed, as squirrels don't like these seeds. Wrap the wire around the metal collar on the tree and thread the end of the wire through the other side of the spring, pulling it taut against the collar. Egg-laying: he first few eggs are often laid two days apart, then one per day. After each nesting season replace the wood shavings putting in the box 2-3 inches of fresh shavings. It should . It is helpful if there is a branch nearby for the young to climb out on, but the branch should not obstruct the entrance hole. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f2\/Keep-Squirrels-Away-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Keep-Squirrels-Away-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f2\/Keep-Squirrels-Away-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid3729365-v4-728px-Keep-Squirrels-Away-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"