Soap is A LOT easier to remove from under your fingernails than soil. Well, most of your worries, but not all, because it is not uncommon for another, neighboring gopher to move in and fill the vacancy that was left after youve evicted your last pesky tenant. Coyote and fox urine will repel squirrels for obvious reasons. Another good way to deter deer is to place the scent of Irish Spring soap on the fruit trees in your garden. Easy to use: The process of using Irish Spring soap as a bird repellent is simple and straightforward. This type of mosquito repellent is available in the form of a mesh or nylon bag. The solution from the Irish spring soap is extremely effective in repelling several kinds of insects. Here we will tackle living an authentic and hands on life through travel, DIY, food, and family. Unlike insects, it is not harmful for birds, reptiles, or other animals. 6. 12-HOUR ODOR/DEODORANT PROTECTION! If youre in a tight spot you probably want to focus on the flowers and vegetables you love the most. Youll want to finely crush the garlic cloves up and spread them in a concentrated area near the plants youd like to repel. Once your soap is grated you are ready to sprinkle. All scents that squirrels hate! However, squirrels cannot tolerate the strong fragrance of Irish Spring soap. Squirrels coming up against areas sprayed with pepper and chili powder wont want to hang around too long! But this is a good thing, because we can use this strong smell to our advantage. We still recommend being proactive and keeping it away from your pets as much as possible. And since this is gentle garden pest prevention, I dont need to worry about the dog or kids going near it. If you do not have drawstring pouches, you can wrap the Irish Spring cubes in a cheesecloth, tie them with a string to form a pouch. June 5, 2017 14. Thyme essential oil is also effective at repelling roaches. Otherwise, if theres just a hint of rosemary scent, it wont be enough to keep squirrels away. Ideally, one bar should cover about a 10 x 10 foot space. Are there signs that they might be poking around certain places, looking for a spot to nest. The frequency of replacement depends on the weather conditions, the intensity of the sun, and the humidity levels. When applied properly, garlic can overpower the scent of other plants in the garden and make squirrels think that only garlic is prevalent. Ammonia can be a natural repellent, but can also be added to the dish soap. Heres a closer look at why this type of soap is so effective at keeping rodents away: The scent of Irish Spring soap is strong and off-putting to rodents. The wooden stakes should be about 5-10 inches apart. Owning a home means endless to-do lists, and its easy to put some tasks at the top of the lists and others at the bottom. If you hang the bags too high, they may not catch a whiff. An alternate option is to tie bars of soap to wooden stakes and position the stakes around the perimeter of your lawn. 6. Both white or black pepper and chili powder are great options for sources of capsaicin. It does not repel insect pests. This site is owned and operated by Pest Pointers LLC | pestpointers.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Gnawing on the sidings of your home, they create big holes. Having a stand of either type of tree nearby most likely puts you in the immediate area of these heavily populated rodents. While this soap is not highly effective at repelling deer, its effective against rabbits, mice, and other herbivores. While nothing is guaranteed to keep them away entirely, certain smells have been proven to repel the animals. With their blood-sucking behavior and proclivity to spread diseases like malaria, yellow fever, and West Nile virus. RELATED: Are mice a problem? Spread either grated Irish Spring Soap around the perimeter of your garden and yard or attach cubes of it to the top of stakes pressed into the ground all over your property. The smell is strong enough to keep deer away, but the spray doesnt need to be applied directly to the plants. If youre not up for making your own essential oil spray, products like Mighty Mints Peppermint Oil Rodent Repellent Spray are easily found online and work just as well as chemical products. In small amounts cinnamon is a delicious spice. For example, American Heritage carries natural coyote urine in a 16oz bottle for a very affordable price. You can also sprinkle, spray, or place items with smells the Squirrels hate, i.e: Coffee grounds Pepper and Garlic spray White Vinegar Capsaicin Peppermint Oil Cinnamon Garlic Rosemaryif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'greengardentribe_com-leader-1','ezslot_8',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-greengardentribe_com-leader-1-0'); Squirrels also detest the smells of dryer sheets, ammonia, naphthalene balls (mothballs), other predators urine, and bleach. Some of the more effective scents for deterring squirrels include strong . The effectiveness of Irish Spring soap as a bird repellent can vary depending on the species of birds and the specific area. Squirrels are nauseated and repulsed by the stink of Irish Spring Soap. It sort of swells and gels up, but it stays in place and continues to work. Fortunately, there are no known fatalities due to this method. The shavings are far enough away from the seeds, but close enough to clearly mark the area off and keep critters back. I am so glad I came across this trick! The nice thing about this method is it is a gentle way to deter deer. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Its a goofy song that gets stuck in, Read More 7 Sounds And Noises Foxes Make (How To Identify Them)Continue, The life cycle of a butterfly has a gorgeous final state and butterflies themselves provide several environmental benefits. You can also wrap a small amount of grated Irish Spring in old pantyhose. Ultimately, this method needs to be done in bulk in order to be effective. How to Use Irish Spring to Winterize Your Home Fortunately, soap is generally non-toxic and is less likely to lead to poisoning, though it could disrupt your health with large amounts ingested over time. So far I have grated two bars of Irish Spring soap and it has been enough to protect my two sweet pea areas and my large strawberry pots. 3. I'd imagine that Irish Spring will repel almost anyone, including gophers, and feeding Ex-Lax to gophers will probably get you a bunch of frantic rodents trying to get in your house to use your facilities. However, you should not use cinnamon on your pets or on your children. All it takes is a few shakes or sprays around the area you want to protect, and squirrels will take the hint right away. Additionally, dryer sheets are one of the scents that mice, another rodent, hate as well. They build lodges, cut down trees, filter water, generate wetlands, and of course, even, Read More 7 Simple Tips For Keeping Beavers Off Your TreesContinue, Your email address will not be published. As you now know, Squirrels are debilitated by the smell of Irish Spring so they will avoid getting near the grated soap you sprinkled, and theyll keep away from your yard.Sprinkling grated Irish Spring spreads the smell of the soap throughout your yard. The Squirrels will never get near your bird feeder to do any damage. The amount of Irish Spring pouches and wooden stakes with Irish Spring cubes depends on the size of your yard and the estimated number of Squirrels that get into your yard. Opposite the crescent-shaped mound, to one side of the gopher hole is where you would probe with a piece of rebar or similar tool. Irish Spring soap is a popular home remedy for keeping birds away. Any thought of a threat to our safe havens and we become extremely protective as we should but maybe not as cunning as we could. If youre concerned that Irish Spring soap wont work on your property, you can use coyote pee or other scents that deer avoid. ), Using Irish Spring Soap As a Garden Repellent, How to Dress Up Canned Cream of Mushroom Soup, 5 Things You Should Know Before You Start Fly Fishing, What Fish Like A Rooster Tail Spinner Bait, The Best Garden Uses For Irish Spring Soap. If you live in an area with a high rate of squirrels, you should consider using Irish Spring soap to deter these pests. Although its designed for use on the skin, some ingredients may actually be deer repellents. Herbivores, such as deer and rabbits, can do significant damage to garden plants, like young flowers, clovers, fruits and vegetables, if left unattended. Plus, you will have the added benefit of spreading the strong smell of Irish Spring soap in your garden shed keeping rodents and pesky insects away from your goodies. Although cute from a distance, squirrels can be surprisingly destructive especially when they set their sights on your home or garden. You should spray an object that can absorb the vinegar and place it NEAR your plants. Eating leaves, barks, and bulbs of your plants. Chewing your vegetables. Digging up your plants. Rubbing your fruit trees. Destroying your bird feeders. If you are worried about using your everyday grater, just go grab one from the dollar store. Luckily for you, there are a variety of scents that will keep squirrels away and under control. RELATED: How to Get Rid of Moss in Your Yard. How Irish Spring Soap Keeps Squirrels Away, Here are two methods of using Irish Spring Soap to. Irish Spring soap is safe to use in the garden, including your lawn. If youre new to this method, read this article for easy instructions. No, Irish Spring soap should not be used near water sources or in areas with sensitive wildlife, as it may pose a threat to the environment. Irish Spring soap and deer don't mix. Show the Squirrels whos the boss and protect your territory! Shes never met a plant she didnt like and, consequently, she writes about every type of plant you can think of. If you believe an Independent.com user or any material appearing on Independent.com is copyrighted material used without proper permission, please click here. The Squirrels sense of smell is extremely powerful. Since its scent is unpleasant to animals, they wont want to spend time in your garden. We have had a few good rains since sprinkling the soap, and it is still there! If you notice your garden plants have damaged leaves and stems, pests may be to blame. Both methods work like a bomb!You can place Irish Spring cubes or sprinkle grated or shavings of Irish Spring Soap in your yard. Fortunately, these pesky pests associate soap and detergents with humans which includes Irish Spring deodorant soap. Did you know you can use hedge apples to repel spiders and mice? Peppermint Oil 3. Balance: Humanity and the Biodiversity Crisis. The soap made into a spray solution can also be used as a repellent outdoors. Princeton Press. Here are some innovative ways of using soap outside in your garden. The most important advice we can give when it comes to squirrel invasions is to pay attention! Eating leaves, barks, and bulbs of your plants. Plus, the fragrance can be offensive to their noses. Irish Spring Soap, with its woody aroma, can actually repel squirrels similar to how it repels raccoons. Cheese grater. Irish Spring is also eco-friendly. You dont need to worry about hurting them. However, its effectiveness may vary depending on the area and bird species, and it may not be suitable for use in all areas. Just simply empty your coffee filter by your garden! Moisture seeps in, causing water damage or rotting of your sidings. Chewing your wiring. We get it, you might not have the space to grow an expansive garden that includes naturally squirrel-repelling plants. That's my buddy, Vito. In fact, many bird-owners use Irish Spring soap to clean their bird feeders! You can also purchase a drawstring bag with soap to use in your backyard. Some people also believe that the soap's slippery surface will make it difficult for birds to land, deterring them from spending time in your yard. It doesnt have an obvious label, but this soap has a long history as a deer repellent. Hang the bags so they are about as tall as the typical deer. Additionally, Irish Spring soap is not toxic, therefore it would not repel any animals. In addition, Irish Spring soap has the same scents as deer repellents. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Aside from having a variety of health benefits, essential oils have been proven to keep pests away from both the home and garden. Although cinnamon may not be a safe option for repelling snakes, it can be an effective snake repellent. For such small animals, theyre surprisingly destructive! Irish Spring won't hurt the garden, whether wet, dry, or soapy. Using our partner network helps support pestpointers.com! You can also sprinkle the shavings in the drawers of your RV and camper. No, Irish Spring soap is a safe and non-toxic solution for keeping birds away and does not pose any harm to birds or other wildlife. A cup of Irish soap placed in different parts of your yard will send a powerful chemical odor throughout the air. Depending on how big of a border you wish to cover, you may want to cut the bar in half. Inexpensive: Irish Spring soap is an affordable and cost-effective solution for keeping birds away, compared to other bird repellent products. They may be able to provide guidance as to what exactly is attracting squirrels to your home and yard, and what the next steps are if youre unable to combat them yourself. The soap is long-lasting, so you dont have to reapply it often. The soap also has been used as a repellent for deer. If you mesh bag doesnt have a drawstring for hanging, tie the mouth up tightly with twine. Fortunately, as Irish Spring soap is non-toxic to humans, it too is non-toxic for your pets. Add a few drops of essential oils to the soap and allow it to sit for about 30 minutes before applying it. I confirmed the scent change on Irish Spring's web site. They are surprisingly easy to find in outdoor stores or online. Place two cubes of Irish Spring Soap into each drawstring pouch.3. This soap is actually designed to be gentle on animals and is often used in pet shampoo. Insecticides are also an option. Can eating Irish Spring soap kill you? Nevertheless, you should not forget about the scent of Irish Spring soap. Mice, rabbits, and deer are among the pest mammals that Irish Spring soap wards off. She rolled up the note and slipped into the gopher tunnel. Soak cloth or cotton balls directly in the peppermint oil and use them to pack up any unwanted openings. The scent will keep squirrels away and keep them out of your yard. Squirrels are repulsed by the reek of Irish Spring Soap. If youre interested, here are some more ways that squirrels can damage your home. See How to Use Steel Wool to Repel Mice here! The great thing about this spray is that you can also add any essential oils youd like. Several weeks later, our sweet pea seeds and strawberry plants are still safe.We literally have dozens of chipmunks in our yard, and they have not disturbed the areas. Hang it around the fruit trees and flowering plants. Here is how to repel garden pests with Irish Spring soap, you can naturally rid your garden of pests too! The signs are there, and usually obvious, but you should be checking on the outside of your house regularly to make sure they havent infiltrated anywhere. Use Irish Spring Soap cubes or grated Irish Spring shavings to keep Squirrels at bay. I planted the sweet pea seeds in a patch near these trellises. This way, you can create a barrier between the pests and your lawn, keeping it safe and pest free. Fortunately, as Irish Spring soap is non-toxic to humans, it too is non-toxic for your pets. My name is Katie and I am The Homespun Hydrangea. We still recommend being proactive and keeping it away from your pets as much as possible. Your email address will not be published. Yes, squirrels hate the scents and feel of used coffee grounds. If youre interested, take a look at our guide on the best coyote urines here. Tie both ends of the pantyhose and tie on your bird feeder. My friend the garden goddess Karen Ciabattoni once wrote a courteous note to the gophers that were plaguing her garden. how to use hedge apples to repel pests here. You can use it to spray your home to avoid roach infestation. In some cases, birds may become accustomed to the scent of the soap over time and may not be deterred by it. Luckily, Irish Spring soap is not the only option for repelling pests. I've heard similar stories substituting Irish Spring soap or Ex-Lax laxative for the gum. Alas, our reactions are rarely the way we would have behaved if wed had more time to think. Where should I hang my DIY Deer Repellent? How to Use Irish Spring to Winterize Your Home. The aroma: Irish spring soap is known for producing a strong aroma that is unpleasant to cats. To learn more visit my About Me page. There are two ways to use peppermint in your home or garden: as a spray, or soaked into cotton balls or cloth. Ways to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden, Oh, hello! This inexpensive alternative is effective, and the soaps smell makes predators shy away. if(window.strchfSettings === undefined) window.strchfSettings = {};window.strchfSettings.stats = {url: "https://gardenbenchtop.storychief.io/en/will-irish-spring-soap-kill-plants?id=1288281776&type=2",title: "Will Irish Spring Soap Kill Plants",id: "1e45d485-1afb-431f-bb11-272a04494a64"};(function(d, s, id) {var js, sjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) {window.strchf.update(); return;}js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;js.src = "https://d37oebn0w9ir6a.cloudfront.net/scripts/v0/strchf.js";js.async = true;sjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, sjs);}(document, 'script', 'storychief-jssdk')). RELATED: See How to Repel Mice with Steel Wool! Ive heard similar stories substituting Irish Spring soap or Ex-Lax laxative for the gum. This website primarily references personal learning experiences. Carey, A. It will repel them. The majority of scents listed above can be found in most home pantries or supermarkets. Other popular traps are the Black Hole Rodent Trap, The Black Box by Victor, and the Gophinator by Trapline. Using Irish Spring soap on your garden plants will prevent squirrels from harming your plants. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. The resulting odor from Irish spring soap is very strong, and it will keep snakes away for a long time. Although having predators such as foxes might seem intimidating at first, they do wonders for keeping the squirrel population under control. Therefore, if you nab that single culprit, most of your worries will be over. Read on to learn more about what scents you can use to keep squirrels out of your home and garden. If youre using this spray in your garden, keep a close eye on plants to ensure they stay healthy and undamaged. The sweetness in the apple cider vinegar can attract flies. You probably scowl just thinking about mosquitos, and rightly so. The reason using dryer sheets as a squirrel deterrent is one of my favorite methods is simply because you already have dryer sheets in your home! And as such, it is not toxic to flowers. For more of the in-depth info, check out our detailed guide on how cinnamon repels squirrels as theres a few more options OTHER than what we mentioned. I am a Hoosier, blogger, freelance writer, author, and of course, a family gal. Drop two pieces of soap into each drawstring pouch, pull strings tightly to close, and tie the strings in a knot to secure the soap inside. Shred the Irish Spring bar.3. Irish Spring is a brand of soap that was first introduced in the year 1970. For every 16oz of water, add 20 drops of the essential oil. Effects of new forest management strategieson squirrel populations. So we took the soap shavings and created a barrier around them. Its soap! 1. Simply dilute it with a cup of water and spray it around your home. Drop the soap into the mesh bag and tie the top tightly. You may be wondering, Does Irish Spring soap repel raccoons? Irish spring soap is preferred by humans for its aroma. To them, the scent is overpowering and theyll avoid it as much as they can. Knot the drawstring to ensure the soap cubes are secure inside the pouch. You can: Harass them Scare them Starve them Trap them Poison them. Its just going to get dirty again! Additionally, this is one of my favorite methods for coffee drinkers as really, you dont need to purchase anything else. Why is this good news? 2. Leslie Vincent, a gardening expert from Atkins explains that animals find the smell of Irish Spring soap unpleasant, and will leave your crops alone. This mixture will work well if combined with a few other repellents. Irish Spring soap does not always eliminate pests completely , but can be a helpful tool to. Professional Products 6. Irish Spring Soap, with its woody aroma, can actually repel squirrels similar to how it repels raccoons. Irish Spring soap can be a useful tool to lower the frequency of pest attacks on plants, though it does not always completely eradicate them. A small amount may make all the difference. That being said, you CAN use apple cider vinegar if youre using it outdoors as the flies wont really matter. Slice the Irish Spring Soap into 1/2-inch cubes.2. You can even make a soap pouch from cheesecloth or string and place it in your garden or flower beds. Use this page here to login for your Independent subscription. Pull the string tightly and close the pouch.4. To make it easier to grate them, place the soap in a warm window for a few minutes to help soften it up. That's because the scent of Irish Spring soap repels deer. This is how: Irish Spring Soap, 1 bar, original scent, Small Fabric Drawstring pouches, 2-inches by 2-inches. Powered by WordPress VIP. Slice the Irish Spring Soap into 1/2-inch cubes. I have found it to be very helpful in the garden especially around plants that chipmunks like to explore. More on that here. Additionally, since its a scent purely exposed on the ground, wind can blow the cinnamon away. In conclusion, Irish Spring soap can be a useful and cost-effective solution for keeping birds away in some situations, but its effectiveness may vary depending on the area and bird species. If you have a particularly bad squirrel population, take additional steps such as getting a furry friend, growing plants that squirrels naturally hate, or bringing in the professionals if the task gets overwhelming. The distinctive scent discourages them from eating foliage and flowers. The easiest way to get this scent is to find a commercial manufacturer. Her work has appeared in "Flourish" and "Her Campus."