Deter squirrels from chewing outdoor lights with 'excellent' remedy

Outdoor string lights are a great addition to the garden for warm summer evenings but they can quickly draw the attention of nearby squirrels. These pesky rodents will chew their way through the plastic wires in a matter of minutes, leaving the bulbs dim and unusable. Fortunately, there are a few cheap remedies gardeners can find in their homes to keep squirrels at bay - and one of them is a staple in every bathroom cabinet.

Squirrels are a nuisance for many reasons, one being their incredible ability to chew through almost anything.

No matter how much wildlife feed gardeners leave lying around to distract them, these grey rodents will gravitate towards plastic string lights for another reason.

According to a lighting expert at 1000Bulbs.com, it's to keep their sharp teeth at their best.

They said: "A squirrel's diet mostly consists of hard seeds, nuts, and fruit which wears down their teeth. In order to combat this, their teeth are constantly growing. So, they have to chew on things to keep their teeth from getting too long."

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While twigs and small trees are a more desirable surface for them to chew on, urban species are no strangers to electrical wires.

The lighting expert explained that outdoor string lights are a common target because they "typically have a delicious soy-based plastic covering".

Pesticides are the obvious way to stop lights from being nibbled, but according to the expert, there's a better way to keep the creatures away. They said: "Squirrels are very territorial; because of this, the best way to deal with squirrels is to deter them from the wires without driving them away.

"Once you've trained your local colony to leave your wires alone, they essentially start working for you by keeping any new squirrels out of your garden."

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Strong scents are the most effective way to deter unwanted garden visitors - with mint being particularly useful. For a ready-made repellent, gardeners can dilute mouthwash with a small amount of water in a large spray bottle.

It's important not to use too much water so as not to lose the stickiness of the minty liquid, which should stick to the plastic wire.

Applying it is as simple as spritzing it over the lights to keep squirrels at bay.

However, it should only be used on unbroken wiring that is solar-powered to avoid electrical damage or injury.

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The lighting experts explained that "the smell and taste act as a deterrent", and should effectively protect string lights. But for maximum effect, the liquid should be reapplied at regular intervals and after a day of rain.

Alternative remedies include peppermint spray (made from essential oil and water), or a citrus solution made from the juice of lemons, limes, oranges, or grapefruits and water.

Owl decoys are also an "excellent option", according to the 1000Bulbs.com blogger, who explained that "almost all same rodents are afraid of owls".

They added: "These realistic decoys should be placed near the wires or rope lights you want to protect. Keep in mind more than one may be needed for larger gardens and should be moved every now and again so that the squirrels don't become desensitised when the owl never moves."

It's not just wires that can fall victim to squirrels either. In fact, according to the 1000Bulbs.com blogger, the bulbs are also attractive.

They explained: "Light bulbs are often stolen by squirrels thinking the bulbs are food. C7s and C9s are common victims due to their vague acorn shape."

While this can happen at any time of year when outdoor lights are hung up, Christmas is a particularly busy time for these agile creatures.

The lighting expert said: "The time of year most people put out their holiday lighting is a very hectic time for squirrels. It's when they are busily collecting, hoarding, and burying their cache for the winter, and they are in such a hurry that they don't take the time to double-check the light bulbs for edibility."