Top News

There is nothing more lovely in spring than hearing birds chirping in your garden and seeing them flying around a feeder, but they can often stop visiting in spring if squirrels are around. Squirrels are much faster than birds, so they can take over a feeder and empty it in a matter of hours.

Their quick movements can also make birds feel that an area is not safe to enter. In April, it is really helpful for gardeners to leave out food for birds. They will be needing more energy for their chicks, and without a feeder nearby, they may have to leave their nests for longer periods of time, which can increase the risk of predators.

However, the experts at Happy Gardens, have shared that there is a really easy way to deter squirrels from eating all your bird food, as you just need a bar of soap.

They explained: "Supposedly, squirrels detest the smell of Irish Spring soap. The musky, masculine scent is said to keep squirrels at bay... so why not give it a shot?"

"Simply hang a bar of the soap not too far from your bird feeder. To protect wildlife, make sure to place the bar of soap in an old sock."

It might sound bizarre if you have never tried it, but squirrels rely heavily on their sense of smell to find food and detect danger, which means they will hate any scents that interfere with their ability to navigate.

Squirrels are frightened by unfamiliar odours - the same way birds do not like quick movements - and they are more likely to move on to find an easier food source.

Irish Spring soap has a very strong, fresh smell, which is why gardeners often use it to keep squirrels away, but any soap with a noticeable, sharp scent can be used.

If you are looking for an alternative, it is best to use mint, eucalyptus, castile herbal or any perfumey soaps that have a very noticeable scent.

What is fantastic about this deterrent is that birds rely less on their sense of smell than mammals, so soap will not have the same effect as it does on squirrels.

However, it should be noted that using soap to keep squirrels away from bird feeders can only be done in spring when the weather is still cooler, as it is useless in high temperatures.

The experts said: "You'll also want to reconsider this strategy during the summer, when sweltering temperatures can turn a bar of soap into a hot mess in just a few hours."

Soap tends to begin melting at around 30°C, but once the weather is in the late 20s, it is better not to use it.

Instead, some people place baffles on their bird feeders, which are wobbly pieces of metal squirrels cannot climb. Many gardeners hang old toy slinkies from bird feeders as they will have the same effect, and squirrels will just slip off.

However, many people also like to sprinkle a little cayenne pepper into their bird food as birds cannot taste heat and will not react to hot spices the same way that squirrels will be irritated by them.