How to Humanely Deter Unwelcome Critters
Keeping animals away from your home or garden can feel like a never-ending task, but you don’t have to choose harsh measures. There are gentle, practical ways to stop foxes, squirrels, cats, and other creatures from making themselves at home where they shouldn’t. Also read our post on humanely deterring mice.
If using plants to deter critters, learn more on pet-friendly gardens (includes indoor plants to avoid). Avoid facing indoor foliage to gardens, to help stop bird strike.
Avoid dodgy ‘natural methods’ like essential oils (some can harm wildlife, pets and children).
Humane Wildlife Solutions offers kind alternatives, to reduce wildlife conflict. It offers a nationwide consultancy and a gull helpline (read why we should give seagulls back their natural homes )
Secure Rubbish and Compost
Animals are attracted to food scraps. Use bins with tight-fitting lids and avoid leaving leftovers out at night. Feed pets indoors, clear up spilled birdseed and pick up fallen fruit. Keep compost heaps covered. This stops smells spreading and keeps foxes, rats and birds from scavenging for snacks.
Deter unwelcome critters by deep-cleaning with scent-free biodegradable liquids, open windows ajar to air, vacuum regularly, and remove old food and sugary drinks.
Seal Entry Points
Check spaces for gaps or holes, and fix broken boards. Mice, rats and squirrels can slip through tiny spaces, so block them with sturdy material. Never use netting, this can trap birds and wildlife. Prune back overhanging branches that give creatures access to roofs.
Limit Standing Water Sources
Standing water draws all sorts of wildlife, from birds to rodents. Fix leaks quickly, use child/pet-friendly water butts, and don’t leave open buckets of water around (this also prevents drowning accidents).
Never Use Rat Poison
Owls and foxes both eat rats, so never use rat poison, as it reduces their natural food, and harms other wild creatures. The Fox Project runs a humane deterrence programme (call for advice on simple humane methods that work – it can also rescue sick and abandoned cubs).
Inventions to Humanely Deter Critters
Grazers is a nontoxic calcium spray to humanely deter deer, pigeons, geese, wild rabbits and even possums abroad, by making grass unpalatable (so don’t use near pet rabbits). Also sold in bulk for golf courses and tennis courts, there is also a version to humanely deter slugs and snails.
Mouse Mesh is a metal grille (don’t cover gas vents and keep clear of leaves) to deter mice from entering homes (also in a thicker version to deter rats). Planting peppermint, thyme, rosemary or lavender can sometimes deter rats (they don’t like the scents).
Waspinator is a brown paper bag that looks like a nest to territorial wasps. Most won’t set up shop, if they see one.
Picas offers expert on humane deterrence for pigeons, doves and other urban birds. Their effective methods are more affordable than letahl control, and used by hospitals and council buildings.
Books on Humane Critter Deterrence
- Humane Critter Control looks at how to humanely deter nearly all creatures using protective barriers, using insect behaviour knowledge.
- The Humane Gardener looks at how to deter unwelcome visitors, without harm. Avoid toxic plants near pets.
- Living with Urban Wildlife is by the late John Bryant, London’s humane deterrence expert. He knew how to kindly deter every creature from squirrels in the loft to rats in the garden, so benefit from his wisdom.
- Also read how to humanely deter ants.
