Autumn in Charlotte is pumpkin season—and so is squirrel season! If you’ve ever decorated your porch with bright orange gourds, you may know the frustration of squirrels eating pumpkins. These clever critters can quickly turn your festive display into their personal snack station. Don’t worry—there are ways to protect your pumpkins, though no method is a guaranteed silver bullet.
Why Do Squirrels Love Pumpkins?
Squirrels are opportunistic feeders, and pumpkins are a tasty, calorie-rich treat. The soft flesh and seeds are irresistible, especially when natural food sources are low. Unfortunately, this means squirrels eating pumpkins is a very real problem in backyards across Charlotte.
Top Tips to Protect Your Pumpkins (May Work!)
1. Spicy Deterrents
Squirrels have sensitive noses and mouths. Sprinkling cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes on your pumpkins can deter them. Some people even make a spray by soaking red pepper flakes in water for a week, straining it, and applying it to pumpkins. These methods may work, but remember—no trick guarantees your pumpkins will be squirrel-free.
2. Essential Oils
Strong scents like peppermint and eucalyptus can discourage squirrels. Mix a few drops with water and spray around your pumpkins. While squirrels eating pumpkins might be reduced, results vary depending on the squirrel’s persistence.
3. Vinegar Solution
A mix of white vinegar and water applied to the pumpkin’s surface can act as a mild repellent. This method may help in keeping squirrels away, but don’t rely on it alone.
4. Physical Barriers
Elevate your pumpkins on tables or railings and make sure nearby branches or structures aren’t giving squirrels a free launch pad. While this reduces opportunities for squirrels eating pumpkins, agile squirrels can still sometimes reach them.
5. Motion-Activated Devices
Motion-activated sprinklers or noise devices can startle squirrels before they get to your pumpkins. These devices may work, especially if used in combination with other deterrents.
Bonus Tip: Feed the Squirrels Elsewhere
If you don’t mind sharing a little, set up a separate feeding station with nuts or seeds away from your pumpkins. Distracting squirrels can sometimes reduce squirrels eating pumpkins, but again, no method is 100% effective.
Call Varmint Gone Before the Problem Gets Worse
If squirrels have made their way past your porch pumpkins and you’ve heard scratching in your walls or found signs of a squirrel’s presence in your attic, don’t wait for the problem to get worse. A squirrel infestation won’t go away on its own—and DIY solutions can often make the problem worse or even illegal, depending on state regulations. Don’t wait for a squirrel problem to escalate—call Varmint Gone today at 888-391-3330 or schedule an inspection online with our specialists to assess your squirrel situation.
Varmint Gone is a licensed, insured, and local veteran-owned wildlife removal company. We have provided fast and reliable squirrel removal services to homeowners since 1983. With our expertise, you can effectively keep squirrels out and protect your property from further damage.
Interested in hearing from our satisfied customers? Check out our reviews online for Varmint Gone Matthews or Varmint Gone Cornelius and see how we’ve helped homeowners just like you!
Your home is your biggest investment—don’t let a squirrel infestation silently destroy it from the inside out. Trust the pros. Trust Varmint Gone.
