How to Keep Squirrels from Eating Tree Bark (5 Simple Tips)

How to Stop Squirrels From Eating Tree Bark

Squirrels are cute and furry creatures, but they can also be a nuisance when they start to eat your tree bark. If you’re looking for ways to keep squirrels from damaging your trees, there are a few things you can do.

In this article, we’ll discuss the different reasons why squirrels eat tree bark, as well as some of the most effective ways to deter them from doing so. We’ll also provide tips on how to repair damage that has already been done.

So, if you’re tired of dealing with squirrels eating your trees, read on for all the information you need to know!

| How To Stop Squirrels From Eating Tree Bark? | Method | Explanation |
|—|—|—|
| Use a physical barrier | Wrap the trunk of the tree with chicken wire or hardware cloth. | This will make it difficult for squirrels to reach the bark. |
| Apply a repellent | There are a number of commercial repellents available that can deter squirrels from eating tree bark. | These repellents typically contain a strong smell or taste that squirrels find unpleasant. |
| Trap and release | If you have a particularly persistent squirrel, you can try trapping it and releasing it in a new location. | This may discourage the squirrel from returning to your tree. |

Squirrels are a common problem for many homeowners, as they can cause damage to trees by eating the bark. This can lead to the tree’s death if the damage is severe. There are a number of things that you can do to prevent squirrels from eating the bark on your trees, including using physical barriers, chemical deterrents, natural deterrents, and humane trapping and removal.

Squirrels’ Tree Bark Preferences

Squirrels prefer to eat the bark of young, thin-barked trees. They are especially fond of trees that are easy to climb, such as maples, birches, and oaks. Squirrels will also eat the bark of fruit trees, such as apples and peaches.

There are a number of factors that contribute to a tree’s attractiveness to squirrels. These include:

• The tree’s location: Squirrels are more likely to eat the bark of trees that are close to their nests or feeding areas.
• The tree’s condition: Squirrels are more likely to eat the bark of trees that are stressed or unhealthy.
• The tree’s size: Squirrels are more likely to eat the bark of small trees than large trees.

How can you determine if squirrels are eating the bark on your trees?

There are a number of signs that can indicate that squirrels are eating the bark on your trees. These include:

• The bark is missing or damaged.
• The tree has small holes or tunnels in the bark.
• The tree has sap or resin oozing from the bark.
• The tree is wilting or dying.

If you see any of these signs, it is likely that squirrels are eating the bark on your trees.

Methods for Preventing Squirrels from Eating Tree Bark

There are a number of things that you can do to prevent squirrels from eating the bark on your trees. These include:

• Physical barriers: You can use physical barriers to prevent squirrels from climbing your trees. This can be done by installing a wire mesh barrier around the tree, or by wrapping the trunk of the tree with a sheet of metal or plastic.
• Chemical deterrents: There are a number of chemical deterrents that you can use to keep squirrels away from your trees. These include products that contain capsaicin, which is the active ingredient in chili peppers, or products that contain repellents such as peppermint oil or garlic oil.
• Natural deterrents: There are a number of natural deterrents that you can use to keep squirrels away from your trees. These include hanging shiny objects, such as aluminum foil or CDs, from the branches of the tree, or planting herbs that squirrels do not like, such as mint or rosemary.
• Humane trapping and removal: If all else fails, you may need to humanely trap and remove the squirrels from your property. This can be done by using a live trap, which can be purchased at most hardware stores. Once the squirrels have been trapped, they should be released in a wooded area away from your home.

Squirrels can be a nuisance, but there are a number of things that you can do to prevent them from eating the bark on your trees. By following these tips, you can keep your trees healthy and prevent them from being damaged by squirrels.

Additional Resources

• [How to Keep Squirrels from Eating Tree Bark](https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-keep-squirrels-from-eating-tree-bark-5119151)
• [Squirrel Control](https://www.animalcontrol.org/squirrel-control/)
• [Squirrels: A Guide to Prevention and Control](https://www.audubon.org/news/squirrels-guide-prevention-and-control)

How To Stop Squirrels From Eating Tree Bark?

Squirrels are a common problem for homeowners, and they can cause significant damage to trees. Squirrels eat tree bark for a variety of reasons, including to get nutrients, to build nests, and to store food. While it is not always possible to prevent squirrels from eating tree bark, there are a number of things you can do to discourage them and protect your trees.

1. Remove Squirrel Feeders

One of the best ways to discourage squirrels from eating tree bark is to remove any food sources that attract them to your yard. This includes bird feeders, pet food bowls, and compost piles. If you have to have a bird feeder, make sure it is hung out of reach of squirrels.

2. Clean Up Fallen Fruit

Fallen fruit is a major food source for squirrels, so it is important to clean up any fruit that falls from your trees on a regular basis. This will help to reduce the number of squirrels that are attracted to your yard.

3. Trim Tree Branches

Squirrels can easily climb trees, so it is important to trim any branches that are close to the ground. This will make it more difficult for squirrels to reach the bark of your trees.

4. Use Squirrel Repellents

There are a number of different squirrel repellents available on the market. These repellents can be sprayed on trees or applied to the ground around trees. They work by deterring squirrels with their smell or taste.

5. Build a Squirrel-Proof Fence

If you have a large yard, you may want to consider building a squirrel-proof fence. This is the most effective way to keep squirrels out of your trees. Squirrel-proof fences should be at least 6 feet tall and should be made of a material that squirrels cannot climb, such as metal or chicken wire.

6. Trap and Release Squirrels

If you have a large number of squirrels in your yard, you may want to consider trapping and releasing them. This is a humane way to control the squirrel population and protect your trees. When trapping squirrels, it is important to use live traps and to release them in a location where they will not be a nuisance.

7. Work with a Professional

If you have tried all of the above methods and squirrels are still damaging your trees, it may be time to call a professional for help. A qualified arborist can assess the damage and recommend the best course of action for protecting your trees.

Tips for Protecting Trees from Squirrel Damage

In addition to the above methods, there are a number of things you can do to protect your trees from squirrel damage. These include:

• Plant trees that are less appealing to squirrels. Some trees, such as oak trees, are more likely to be damaged by squirrels than others. If you are concerned about squirrel damage, choose trees that are less likely to be targeted.
• Provide alternative sources of food and shelter for squirrels. If squirrels have other places to get food and shelter, they will be less likely to damage your trees. You can provide alternative food sources by hanging bird feeders in your yard or by leaving out nuts and seeds. You can also provide alternative shelter by building a squirrel house or by leaving out hollow logs.
• Prune trees to make them less accessible to squirrels. Squirrels can easily climb trees, so it is important to prune your trees to make them less accessible. This means removing any branches that are close to the ground or that provide easy access to the trunk of the tree.
• Monitor your trees for signs of damage and take action as needed. Squirrels can cause a lot of damage to trees, so it is important to monitor your trees for signs of damage and to take action as needed. This may include repairing any damage that has been done or removing any squirrels that are causing problems.

By following these tips, you can help to protect your trees from squirrel damage.

When to Call a Professional

If you have tried all of the above methods and squirrels are still damaging your trees, it may be time to call a professional for help. A qualified arborist can assess the damage and recommend the best course of action for protecting your trees.

An arborist can also help you to identify the type of squirrel that is causing the damage and to develop a plan for deterring them from your property.

If you are concerned about squirrel damage, it is important to take action as soon as possible. Squirrels can cause a lot of damage to trees, and if left unchecked, the damage can eventually lead to the death of the tree.

Squirrels can be a nuisance, but they can also be a threat

How do I stop squirrels from eating tree bark?

There are a few things you can do to deter squirrels from eating tree bark.

• Install a squirrel baffle. A squirrel baffle is a metal or plastic device that is attached to the trunk of the tree and prevents squirrels from climbing up.
• Cover the tree trunk with a wrap. A tree wrap is a mesh or plastic covering that is wrapped around the trunk of the tree and prevents squirrels from reaching the bark.
• Apply a repellent. There are a number of commercial repellents available that can be applied to the tree trunk to deter squirrels.
• Use a deterrent spray. A deterrent spray is a water-based solution that contains a scent that squirrels dislike. It can be sprayed on the tree trunk to deter squirrels.
• Install a motion-activated sprinkler. A motion-activated sprinkler will spray water at squirrels when they approach the tree, deterring them from coming back.

What are the signs that squirrels are eating tree bark?

There are a few signs that indicate that squirrels are eating tree bark.

• Bark damage. Squirrels will often chew on the bark of trees, leaving behind small holes and ragged edges.
• Squirrel droppings. Squirrels will often leave their droppings under trees that they are eating from.
• Squirrel nests. Squirrels will often build nests in trees, which can be a sign that they are using the tree as a food source.

**What are the risks of squirrels eating tree bark?

Squirrels can cause a number of problems by eating tree bark.

• Tree damage. Squirrels can damage trees by chewing on the bark, which can lead to the tree becoming weak and susceptible to disease and pests.
• Disease transmission. Squirrels can carry a number of diseases, which can be transmitted to humans and other animals through contact with their droppings or urine.
• Nutrient deficiency. Squirrels can eat a lot of tree bark, which can deprive the tree of essential nutrients. This can lead to the tree becoming stunted or dying.

**How can I prevent squirrels from eating tree bark in the future?

There are a number of things you can do to prevent squirrels from eating tree bark in the future.

• Install a squirrel baffle. A squirrel baffle is a metal or plastic device that is attached to the trunk of the tree and prevents squirrels from climbing up.
• Cover the tree trunk with a wrap. A tree wrap is a mesh or plastic covering that is wrapped around the trunk of the tree and prevents squirrels from reaching the bark.
• Apply a repellent. There are a number of commercial repellents available that can be applied to the tree trunk to deter squirrels.
• Use a deterrent spray. A deterrent spray is a water-based solution that contains a scent that squirrels dislike. It can be sprayed on the tree trunk to deter squirrels.
• Install a motion-activated sprinkler. A motion-activated sprinkler will spray water at squirrels when they approach the tree, deterring them from coming back.

**What if I have already tried everything and the squirrels are still eating my tree bark?

If you have already tried everything and the squirrels are still eating your tree bark, you may need to take more drastic measures.

• Contact a pest control professional. A pest control professional can assess the situation and recommend the best course of action.
• Cut down the tree. If the tree is already in poor health, you may need to cut it down to prevent further damage.
• Replace the tree. If you have a sentimental attachment to the tree, you may want to replace it with a new tree that is less susceptible to squirrel damage.

Squirrels can be a nuisance, especially when they start eating tree bark. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to deter squirrels from damaging your trees. By following the tips in this article, you can keep your trees healthy and looking their best.

Here are the key takeaways:

• Squirrels are attracted to trees that provide food, water, and shelter.
• To deter squirrels, you can remove food sources, make your trees less appealing, and install physical barriers.
• If you have a serious squirrel problem, you may need to call a professional.

By following these tips, you can keep your trees healthy and free from squirrel damage.