How to Keep Squirrels from Chewing Through Rope Light and String Lights

Squirrel with bulb from Christmas light string.

Updated 10/12/23 by 1000Bulbs Staff

When it comes to outdoor decorative lighting, few things are more loved than rope lights and string lights. If you have an outdoor lighting display, you may already be aware of rope light and string light’s biggest enemy: rodents. The main offender? Pesky squirrels.

Some people may view these creatures as nothing more than fuzzy-tailed cuties that may raid bird feeders, but there are many that see them as the wire-chomping scourge they genuinely are. Why have rodents declared war on lighting? What can you do to deter squirrels from your rope and string lights?

Why are Yard Squirrels an Outdoor Lighting Nuisance?

Squirrels love to eat hard seeds, nuts, and fruits that wear down their teeth. In order to combat this, their teeth are constantly growing. So, they must chew on things to keep their teeth from getting too long. Most squirrels will chew on things like twigs and small tree branches.

However, urban squirrels have found electrical wires work just as well and typically have a delicious soy-based plastic covering. Squirrels may also chew wires when they begin nesting, using the wire insulation to line their nests.

During the Christmas season, it isn’t just the wires that attract squirrels. Christmas light bulbs often attract squirrels. C7s and C9 bulbs are often mistaken as a food source due to their vaguely acorn shape.

The time of year most people put out their holiday lighting is a very hectic time for squirrels. They are busily collecting, hoarding, and burying their cache for the winter, and they are in such a hurry that they don’t take the time to double-check the light bulbs for edibility.

What are Signs that My Wires are Attracting Squirrels?

Signs of squirrel activity include teeth marks on the wiring around the lighting fixtures, as well as frayed or damaged wires without other explanation.

When checking for a squirrel infestation around your house, look for nests. Squirrels create nests in trees and other areas that provide shelter, typically using twigs or leaves to build them.

Avoid Pesticides or Poison: Train Your Squirrels Instead

Some people would immediately think to use pesticides or some other method to “permanently” address their squirrel problem, but this should really be a last resort. You never know what unintended creatures could get ahold of the poison, including beloved pets.

In some states, it is illegal to use poison to get rid of pests such as squirrels if you aren’t a professional exterminator.

Squirrel in a live trap, unable to damage electrical wires and light fixtures.

Using a live trap to remove squirrels is a less risky option. However, squirrels are hard to eradicate. Even if the current colony of squirrels is removed, another is very likely to move in afterward.

Squirrels are very territorial; because of this, the best way to avoid squirrel damage is to deter them from chewing the electrical wires without driving them away. Once you’ve trained your local colony to leave your wires alone, they essentially start working for you by keeping any new squirrels out of your yard.

How to Deter Squirrels From Chewing Through Wires

Fortunately, there are plenty of options to prevent squirrels from destroying your rope lights and string lights. From simple, natural repellents to complex barriers, you are sure to find an effective way to repel squirrels and keep them away from your electrical wires.

Bird feeders can attract squirrels, making them more likely to disturb your outdoor lighting.

Take Preventative Measures to Make Bird Feeders and Potential Food Sources Less Accessible

The first step to keeping squirrels away is to remove food sources from their reach.

Since squirrels are foragers, be sure to secure garbage can lids. Clean up fallen edible items right away, such as fruits or nuts from trees and bird seed underneath bird feeders.

Use bird feeders that minimize access for squirrels, and store bird seed securely.

If you have a garden, be sure to harvest fruits and vegetables as soon as they are ripe, and consider installing a barrier such as a fence, net, or even chicken wire around garden beds that squirrels may try to raid.

Secure the Wiring

Protecting your electrical wiring can be as simple as preventing squirrels from being able to access it or chew on it in the first place.

If it makes sense for the layout of your yard, consider running wiring underground.

When that isn't possible, protecting the wires and making them unappealing to squirrels can help protect your outdoor fixtures. Conduit or metal sheathing to encase the wiring can provide a physical barrier that squirrels cannot chew through, as can wire guards made of metal or heavy-duty plastic.

Some companies make an anti-chew tape or coating created with a bitter taste or unpleasant texture that squirrels hate.

If you have issues with squirrels squeezing into gaps or openings to access wires, you can use steel wool to block small holes, as squirrels dislike the texture and are not as likely to chew through them.

Protecting electrical wires can be difficult as squirrels are curious creates.

Use Repellents and Deterrents such as Apple Cider Vinegar or Strongly Scented Sprays

There are many types of repellents and deterrents that work well to repel squirrels.

Since squirrels dislike certain strong scents, there are many simple options that will discourage them from spending time around your plants and lighting fixtures, from spraying a solution around the fixtures or hanging scented sachets nearby.

You can look for a commercially available squirrel-repellent spray, of course.

However, you could also use an apple cider vinegar spray, or create your own with ingredients that have a strong smell or spicy taste such as white vinegar or hot sauce. Some even suggest predator urine, particularly fox urine, is very effective, but that’s not for everyone.

Simply mix your pungent scent of choice with some water in a spray bottle and spray on the rope or string lights and the wires. The strong odor and taste of these deter squirrels, however, they need to be reapplied at regular intervals and after rain.

Another option that may require less frequent reapplication is placing strongly scented deterrents near the problem areas.

You can grate or cut Irish Spring soap into small pieces and scatter them around the fixtures. Some recommend putting essential oils (including eucalyptus, citrus, and peppermint oil) on cotton balls and placing them near the light fixtures. A sachet of human hair, gathered from hairbrushes or salons, can serve as a deterrent for squirrels as well, as the scent of humans nearby is likely to make them a little less brave.

Additionally, scattering items that repel squirrels, such as used coffee grounds, cayenne pepper, white pepper, black pepper, or safflower seeds can help. If you choose to use safflower seeds, monitor the area as the seeds may attract birds, which could cause other issues.

Install Physical Barriers and Motion-Activated Devices in Your Yard

Don't underestimate the effectiveness of physical barriers, such as squirrel-proof cages to help protect your light fixtures. Making wires more difficult to access can help deter squirrels.

Proactively trimming tree branches frequently used as pathways or launching points to jump to lighting fixtures can help keep squirrels away from your home. Limb guards or cone-shaped baffles can be placed on tree trunks, physically keeping squirrels, and other animals at bay.

You may also consider installing motion-activated devices to startle any squirrels exploring your yard. Ultrasonic devices on the market emit very high-pitched bursts of noise to scare away pesky squirrels. Some come equipped with strobe lights that squirrels hate.

Additionally, motion-activated sprinklers can be effective in keeping squirrels and other animals out of your yard.

Falcons are natural predators of squirrels.

Use Predator Decoys to Keep Squirrels Away From Your Home

Owl decoys are an excellent option since owls are the natural predators of squirrels and other pests. These realistic decoys should be placed near the wires or rope lights you want to protect.

Keep in mind more than one may be needed for larger yards and should be moved every now and again so that the squirrels don’t become desensitized when the owl never moves.

Or, if all else fails, take up the noble sport of falconry.

Have Other Solutions to Repel Squirrels and Protect Your Outdoor Lighting?

Have any other methods to squirrel-proof your outdoor lighting? Leave your suggestions in the comments below. If you need to replace any chewed casualties before your next outdoor event, you can find rope lights and string lights at 1000Bulbs.com or give us a call at 1-800-624-4488 for help finding what you need.