Do Wind Chimes Scare Away Squirrels | Tried and True!

Wind chimes normally consist of suspended rods that are strategically held in place to strike and produce sounds when exposed to air or wind movement outside. Besides their role as visual ornaments and percussion instruments around homes, wind chimes can also scare away wild animals and keep them away from your backyard or garden.

Do wind chimes scare away squirrels? Wind chimes can scare away squirrels but only temporarily. The sound created by the chimes can startle squirrels and cause them to run away. However, the squirrels will get used to the sound relatively quickly, so you’ll need to replace them often with a different noise in order to keep them away.

Stay with us if you want to learn more about wind chimes and the techniques you can use to keep squirrels and other unwelcome visitors away from your backyard or garden. Let’s begin!

Should I Scare Away Squirrels?

Besides their cute and fluffy appearance, squirrels can cause a lot of problems not only in the garden but also if they get to your attic.

In the garden, these rodents will feast on eggplants, potatoes, beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, seeds, and fruits. They can wipe out most of your young potted plants in their nut-burying expeditions. Keeping these pests away from your garden is highly advised. Wind chimes are a good natural solution but they are only temporary.

Also once a squirrel gets into your attic, a few nesting problems can occur. And these omnivores will not go easy on the insulation, linens, and fabrics. They’ll make their nests at the expense of your attic, shredding your potentially important paperwork in an effort to make their new homes feel more comfortable.

Will Wind Chimes Scare Away Squirrels?

According to a study on using sound to deter wild animals and birds, the researchers concluded that sound plays a crucial role in scaring away unwelcome visitors, this includes squirrels.

However, for the method to be successful, the animal shouldn’t be allowed to get used to the sound patterns, meaning the sonic deterrence should change regularly.

Due to their irregular sound patterns, wind chimes will help keep squirrels away from your garden, especially when strategically placed. You don’t want to keep the wind chimes too close to your house, but rather close enough to the garden to scare the squirrel before deciding to let itself in.

However, the challenge with wind chimes is that animals (especially regular trespassers) will eventually get comfortable with the noises coming from wind chimes. Thus, it is advisable to combine wind chimes with other pest control strategies to ensure that squirrels don’t get used to the sound.

Although mainly known to scare birds, properly installed wind chimes can also get the job done when dealing with squirrels. However, you’ll need large wind chimes to make deep enough sounds that will scare squirrels from sneaking in.

Small wind chimes can end up attracting squirrels instead of scaring them. It is not uncommon to see squirrels hanging on wind chimes. If this has ever happened to you, then chances are that you need a larger, louder, and scarier wind chime to keep the squirrels away.

How to Use Wind Chimes to Scare Away Squirrels: Instructions

Place the Wind Chimes in the Direction of the Wind

The whole idea of using wind chimes is to take advantage of the wind, ensuring that it strikes the rods harshly to make sounds loud enough to scare away squirrels. As a result, it is advisable to hang the wind chimes in well-exposed areas.

Place Them Close to the Garden

You should try to place the wind chimes in a strategic location that will prevent squirrels from trespassing. Putting wind chimes too close to the house might not work since the squirrel might mistake the sounds for normal human activity from within the house.

Get Large and Loud Wind Chimes

You might have to consult with your neighbor on this one! Ideally, a large wind chime will produce loud sounds, which will deter not only squirrels but also birds and the occasional deer.

The more unpredictable the sound patterns are, the better the outcomes will be in scaring away unwanted critters. Still, be careful, and don’t bother your neighbors with annoying sounds.

Consider Switching Locations Regularly

You should try to make the noise appear as mobile as possible, which will require you to move your wind chimes every now and then to minimize the chances that the squirrels become used to the noise. 

An alternative would be to place several wind chimes on the potential entry points. However, such a strategy might fail to work as the squirrels might notice that the wind chimes are always in the same location.

Combine Wind Chimes With Other Pest Deterring Strategies

Granted, wind chimes can help get the job done. But without an additional effort, the chances are the squirrels will soon get comfortable and make their way back to your garden or backyard. 

Combining wind chimes with other pest-deterring strategies that we’ll discuss in the next section will ensure squirrels classify your residence as a no-go zone.

Alternative Ways to Get Rid of Squirrels

Wind chimes work well when combined with other squirrel-deterrent methods. Below are some ways to scare off squirrels from your yard:

Use a Squirrel Repellent

Did you know that you can keep squirrels away from your yard using DIY pepper spray? Here’s how to make it:

Step 1: Take one or two cups of your preferred hot sauce and add a small amount of cayenne pepper (one spoon). 

Step 2: Add a cupful of oil soap.

Step 3: Mix gently.

Step 4: Spray your homemade mixture in squirrel-prone areas. Squirrels hate the smell and taste of this spray, so they’ll stay away from your yard.

Scare the Squirrels With Figurines

While pets like cats and dogs might come in handy in chasing away squirrels, you’ll need a tougher and more consistent measure to keep these rodents away from your garden.

Consider using predator-inspired statues and figurines to scare away squirrels. A simple silhouette of a large owl can get the job done. But in order to scare the squirrels, make sure the silhouette is well-observable and located in strategic areas.

Use Urine from Predators to Scare Off Squirrels

One easy way to scare off squirrels is to buy some predator urine (the best options are fox, wolf, or tiger urine) and spray the solution in various areas in your garden.

You’ll be shocked at how many potential intruders (rabbits and deer included) you’ll deter from visiting your garden.

Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders

Squirrels love bird feeders, especially easy-to-access ones. And it’s no news that squirrels will eventually ruin the bird feeders as they try to access the bird seeds. To keep these rodents from your yard, you’ll need to make or buy a squirrel-proof bird feeder that is inaccessible to them. 

Consider greasing the poles or metal arms holding the feeders with a generous amount of petroleum jelly. The squirrels won’t be able to climb the slippery surfaces, and your bird feeders will remain safe, which also helps to discourage squirrels from trespassing.

Consider Planting Mint

Mint grows easily, which makes it ideal for impromptu planting. Squirrels loathe the smell of mint or spicy smells in general. This is why it is advisable to plant the actual mint as it will help deter squirrels in the long run.

Alternatively, you can also spray mixtures containing garlic and mint on your flowers and plants to deter squirrels. You might have to reapply it frequently, though, especially during the rainy season.

List of Sources

Bomford, M., & O’Brien, P. (1990). Sonic Deterrents in Animal Damage Control: A Review of Device Tests and Effectiveness. Wildlife Society Bulletin (1973-2006)
Gilsdorf, Jason & Hygnstrom, Scott & Vercauteren, Kurt. (2002). Use of Frightening Devices in Wildlife Damage Management, Integrated Pest Management Reviews
John L. Stewart, Experiments With Sounds in Repelling Mammals, University of Nebraska
How To Deal With Unwanted Yard Visitors: Squirrels, Cats, Bugs, Hawks, And More, Cornell University