Why is cayenne pepper effective as a selective deterrent against squirrels near asters?
Answer
Birds lack the same pain receptors squirrels possess, allowing for selective deterrence.
Cayenne pepper or chili powder is employed as a taste repellent because it leverages a biological difference between the target pest and non-target species. Squirrels react negatively to the irritating compound, likely due to the sensitivity of their pain receptors to capsaicinoids. In contrast, birds generally lack these specific pain receptors, meaning the spice deters the targeted rodents without negatively affecting the birds that might be present. This allows gardeners to selectively discourage squirrels from sampling the soil or plant base, although frequent reapplication is necessary, especially after rainfall.
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