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Squirrel Damage to Maple Roots: Hot Pepper Wax Deterrent

Squirrels gnaw maple roots and root flares for sugars and salts. Spray Hot Pepper Wax on affected areas to deter them. It’s a natural, non-toxic repellent.

Why They Do It

Seeking moisture and nutrients.
Similar to sapsuckers drilling for sap in spring.

Protect young trees with hardware cloth cages if needed.

Squirrel damage on maple

Squirrel gnawing on maple root flare.

Squirrel damage closeup

Close-up of gnaw marks.

About Gardening: Maple Decline from Soil Compaction: Root Zone Recovery Plan; Autumn Blaze Maple Surface Roots: No Toppling Risk; Exposed Maple Roots: To Cover or Not to Cover?; Tree Root Damage from Neighbor's Excavation: Risks to Spruce and Foundation; Covering Exposed Roots of a Mature Soft Maple on a Slope; Sugar Maple Root Damage from Edging: Recovery Through Fertilization; Norway Maple Root Damage from Deck Construction and Grade Changes; Car Impact on Maple: Bark Stripping Repair and Borer Prevention; Squirrel Damage to Maple: Girdling Threatens Survival; Stop Squirrels from Stripping Bark on Japanese Maples

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