People are often fascinated by the chitters and hops of innocent-faced little squirrels. These tiny creatures can be attracted by the bulbs and fresh buds in your garden. They can dig out the bulbs and also feed on the emerging buds and flowers. It is very much disheartening to see half-eaten vegetables, bulbs and buds in your garden. Though, there are many commercial products meant for repelling squirrels, they may contain harsh chemicals, which may be fatal for these critters. Most of these chemical products are not environment-friendly too. Hence, it is always better to use natural products or some homemade squirrel repellents. Cayenne Pepper - Onion Solution This squirrel repellent can be made with onions, jalapeno pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika and water. You have to fill three-fourth of a two-quart saucepan with water and bring it to boil. Now, add two chopped yellow onions and one chopped jalapeno pepper and let the water boil again. Mix one tablespoon each of paprika and cayenne pepper powder and cover the pan with the lid. Allow the mixture to cook over medium heat for about 30 minutes, after which you have to turn off the burner. Once the solution is cool, strain it with a strainer or cheesecloth and fill the solution in a spray bottle. You can spray it over the plants so that the scent will deter squirrels from entering the garden. For added efficiency, you may sprinkle some paprika and cayenne pepper powder over the soil. Make sure to spray the solution every seven days and more often during rains. Murphy's Oil Soap Repellent In order to prepare this squirrel repellent, all you need is water, Murphy's oil soap and cayenne pepper powder. Take a gallon of water in a container and stir it well, along with six caps of Murphy's oil soap. Now, you have to take two tablespoons of cayenne pepper powder and mix it with the solution. Stir the solution well and fill it in a spray bottle. This mixture has to be sprayed on the plants in your garden, for repelling squirrels. It is said that this mixture does not cause harm to plants and at the same time repels tiny squirrels. Hot Pepper Sauce Solution This recipe requires hot pepper sauce, water and liquid detergent. Empty the contents of a small bottle of hot pepper sauce into a container and mix it with one gallon water and stir well. Now, you have to add a teaspoon of mild liquid detergent to the solution. Your squirrel repellent with hot pepper sauce is ready to be applied on plants. Tips for Repelling Squirrels

• Make a solution of epsom salt with a gallon of water for spraying over the plants in the garden.
• Use some naphthalene (moth) balls to deter squirrels from entering your garden. All you have to do is to scatter some moth balls in your garden (and other places frequented by these critters). But make sure to keep away small kids and pets.
• Squirrel evictor strobe lights can be used to get rid of these critters. You may also try the electronic squirrel repellent devices.
• Bird feeders also attract these critters. So, it is very much important to use squirrel-proof bird feeders that are available in different models.
• Another method is to mix some red pepper powder with the bird food. Try to feed the birds with food that squirrels do not like. Safflower seeds is a good option.
• You can also repel them from your garden in a more friendly way. This can be achieved by feeding squirrels with sufficient food like sunflower seeds, peanuts, fresh or dried fruits and corn.

The above said are some of the commonly used methods for repelling squirrels. It is always better to resort to homemade squirrel repellents and other natural products, rather than using the commercial ones, which may cause harm to these critters as well as the environment.