Your pets can experience discomfort and burning sensations if they come in contact with or eat vegetation that has been sprayed with hot peppers. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Never apply the spray in the middle of the day because the heat from the sun can cause the spray to “bake” the leaves and kill the plant. Set up wind chimes and pinwheels to create noise and movement. Don't spray the pepper mixture in high winds because it can blow into your face and eyes, causing irritation and discomfort. How do I get rid of animal pests with hot pepper spray without harming my own animals? When my husband informed me that we needed to do something about the bugs in our garden and that we’d run out of the hot pepper spray … Caution: If you have pets in your yard, like cats and dogs, you may want to partition off any areas that you've sprayed. Hot pepper spray can also deter soft-body insects, like mayflies, aphids, caterpillars, and maggots. Most rabbits … So far I've tried sprinkling red pepper flakes on the leaves (the sprinkler/rain took care of … What is the best way(s) to keep rabbits from eating my Asters and still be able to enjoy the flowers? One way to deter these animals is by making a simple hot pepper spray from cayenne, chili, or jalapeno peppers, which contain a compound called capsaicin that induces a burning sensation when an animal eats or touches it. However, customer testimonials indicate that, in many cases, Hot Pepper Wax … question deals with an issue that we are also having for the first time, so now we'll also get some peppermint oil to add to our arsenal of pest control! Mix these with a gallon of water. For application directly on fruits, vegetables and root crops to protect them from deer, rabbit, and squirrel predation. However, this may not be necessary if you’re only planning to use the spray in your garden. If squirrels are digging up your mulch and eating your plants, lay the flakes in the squirrels' favorite spots. Spray the hot pepper spray on and around surfaces you’d like the squirrels to stay away. While fencing or netting provides the best physical barrier to keep the rabbits out, you can also make nontoxic chemical repellents to discourage the rabbits from eating the plants. Hot peppers have a compound in them called capsaicin, which is an irritant to most animals if they smell or taste it. Just that they are the dried version of the fresh ones. They might, but nematodes will kill grubs more effectively, and they are usually available at your local hardware store. If you like our videos, give us a THUMBS UP and SHARE! A homemade mixture made with hot peppers sprayed on your garden plants will repel the rabbits because the peppers contain capsaicin. When I first began using red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper to deter our local pests (rabbits, javelina, deer, pack rats et al) I didn't think a thing … It is applied to the plant and when an animal tries to taste it, it is repelled by the hot pepper taste. One such repellent can be made by mixing garlic powder with hot pepper or chili. Spraying cayenne pepper on plants will keep deer, rabbits … Capsaicin is extremely toxic to bees and other beneficial pollinators, if your garden depends on them consider using a different repellent. Fences and Traps Create a chicken wire fence. Her articles, short stories and reviews have appeared on City National Bank's website and on The Noseprint. Pour in a spray bottle and shake well. Last Updated: March 29, 2019 If you notice the animal pests have been avoiding the areas that you’ve sprayed, but have chosen new targets in your garden, try spraying as many plants as you can. They don’t have the same reaction to the spray and will still be able to enjoy the seeds. The effect on aquatic life is unknown and it may harm your backyard fish. Based in Las Vegas, Susan Paretts has been writing since 1998. Once you’ve made the spray, you can apply it to plants, bird seed, and even backyard decorations or hiking gear to repel animal pests. Try using a castile soap, which is biodegradable and safe for outdoor use. Can I use too many peppers when making hot pepper spray? In this case, 97% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. ", How to Get Rid of Animal Pests With Hot Pepper Spray. The capsaicin in the hot pepper spray not only repels rabbits but also many other potential garden pests including voles, deer, insects, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, cats and dogs, according to the National Pesticide Information Center. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. Eventually, the animals will learn that your garden is unsafe and will look for food elsewhere. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Get-Rid-of-Animal-Pests-With-Hot-Pepper-Spray-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-Animal-Pests-With-Hot-Pepper-Spray-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Get-Rid-of-Animal-Pests-With-Hot-Pepper-Spray-Step-1.jpg\/aid642675-v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Animal-Pests-With-Hot-Pepper-Spray-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":308,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"487","licensing":"