Can Coffee Grounds Keep Squirrels Out Of The Garden? Here's What We Found

Squirrels are adorable, but if your garden is on the receiving end of their digging and pillaging, you might not be happy to have them in your space. If that's you, you'll be pleased to hear that your morning cup of joe could be the answer to your woes — more specifically, your leftover coffee grounds. It turns out squirrels don't appreciate the smell of coffee as much as we humans do and find it off-putting. However, can coffee grounds actually keep these wily critters away from your lovingly nurtured plants? Yes, but only temporarily.

Coffee grounds can potentially work, but in order to come up with a more permanent anti-squirrel strategy, you need to understand that you're dealing with an above-average adversary. Squirrels are among the smartest animals on the planet, just behind more predictably intelligent creatures like dogs, horses, and dolphins. This is why experts say there's no single solution for dealing with them. It's best to use multiple approaches at once, potentially including this easy coffee grounds hack. However, keep in mind that these tips won't work if you have an infestation. For that, you'll need to call in a squirrel removal expert.

While there's no scientific evidence that confirms coffee grounds' efficacy, anecdotal evidence suggests that the smell of coffee grounds can deter your garden nemesis. The strong odor hides the scent of things that squirrels enjoy, like fruit, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. What's equally disconcerting for them is that the smell of coffee also masks the smell of predators, making squirrels feel unsafe. Because of this, squirrels will be inclined to steer clear of your yard. To put this leftover coffee grounds hack into action, all you have to do is sprinkle the grounds where you don't want squirrels to be.

Unfortunately, the downside of this deterrent is that it's not long-lasting. The smell dissipates fairly quickly, especially if there's bad weather to wash or blow the grounds away. Plan to reapply the grounds regularly. Another thing to keep in mind is that while this is generally an eco-friendly solution, continually sprinkling coffee grounds over your soil can mess with its pH levels. It's also not ideal for plants; although they can benefit from the nitrogen prevalent in leftover coffee grounds, it's best to give the grounds to plants in compost rather than directly, as this can negatively affect plant growth. And as previously mentioned, the squirrels may get to a point where the smell doesn't bother them enough to keep them away permanently.

Given how clever squirrels are, it's best to take a multi-pronged approach to keeping these critters at bay. Start by figuring out what's attracting squirrels to your garden in the first place. It could be your well-stocked bird feeder, the vegetables you're growing, your lush fruit trees, or even certain types of flowers. Knowing the source of the problem will help you figure out where you need to squirrel-proof the most. 

As for other scented solutions, coffee isn't the only smell they dislike. Some people tout predator urine as a fix, though others claim its effect is short-lived at best, so it may not be a good first line of defense. Instead, look in your pantry for more cost-effective alternatives. For example, squirrels dislike rosemary, cinnamon, garlic, and even peppermint oil — all of which can be sprayed or sprinkled around your property to ward them off. If you have a bird feeder, adding a baffle can help keep squirrels away from your feathered friends' treats. 

Gardening with squirrels in mind can also assist. There are plant species they love, such as sunflowers and tulips, as well as those they tend to avoid, like daffodils and alliums. Also, practicing good garden maintenance can help. Fallen fruit, nuts, and seeds are irresistible to them, so clearing these away removes a potentially attractive food source. This strategy is a win/win, since even if it doesn't fully discourage squirrels, your garden will thank you for tidying up.