Fertilizer & Weedkiller Harm Backyard Squirrel??

[The Nut Lady]

Hi all. Does anybody know if treating the yard with fertilizer and weedkiller harms squirrels? Or any safe options? In the past we've used Scotts Step 1 and 2 (but that was before we befriended these backyard squirrels). Just don't want to do anything that could harm them but at the same time would like to keep a nice yard. Any suggestions are appreciated!

[McCarthy]

Hi all. Does anybody know if treating the yard with fertilizer and weedkiller harms squirrels? Or any safe options? In the past we've used Scotts Step 1 and 2 (but that was before we befriended these backyard squirrels). Just don't want to do anything that could harm them but at the same time would like to keep a nice yard. Any suggestions are appreciated!

All the consumer grade weedkillers and fertilizer don't work properly to begin with. This is what will help you to grow grass properly so it can displace weeds on its own:

- water regularly with an irrigation system, when it inot rains
- measure PH value of your sod / dirt and adjust according to you grass type
- mow frequently, every 5 days in the summer, never cut off more than 30% of the grass blade length
- cut high, not short
- sharpen mower blades twice a year
- apply organic composting material in spring for nutrition

[The Nut Lady]

Thanks so much for the advice. I'm sure that all of that would work perfectly, but that's way more labor intensive than is realistic for the person what is taking care of the lawn here. The weeds are pretty out of control and we are looking for something to put on it to address that, but at the same time wouldn't harm the yard squirrels.

[McCarthy]

Thanks so much for the advice. I'm sure that all of that would work perfectly, but that's way more labor intensive than is realistic for the person what is taking care of the lawn here. The weeds are pretty out of control and we are looking for something to put on it to address that, but at the same time wouldn't harm the yard squirrels.


With everything you can buy at Home Depot, that will be an ongoing fight you won't win. Applying "something" that may kill some of the weeds once won't last long. The weeds are seasonal, and you will see other weeds growing back just 2 month later. All those weeds long seeded your soil, so they will grow back as soon as rain has diluted the herbicides. In order to prevent that, you will need to apply pre-emergent products, and they only work when you stick to a yearly strict schedule before the seeds become active. You need to find pre-emergent products that work for every type of weed you are facing. There is no catch-all product. Also, many grass types like St Augustine die easily from most weed killers, because in fact, this grass is a form of weed.


Only 2 ways to get weeds / fungus / pests successfully out in the long run:

1.) Have a pro come out EVERY month and apply COMMERCIAL grade selective and non-selective herbicides, pest killers and fertilizers. You will still have to water your yard or the fertilizer will burn your grass. They also don't adjust the chemicals according to your needs and yard, they pump it full with high doses. That service runs in my state $60 bucks for your average yard, each month. You will still be dealing with occasional dead spots in your yard.

This solution will put any living being at risk that eats from or on your yard.

2.) Gaining and maintaining a healthy grass that displaces weeds on its own, as described above.

[Sandman]

I don't know the answer to the question, though I have wondered about the disappearance of a number of squirrels from my yard after spraying in the springtime. (Their disappearance could also be explained by other things, like due to actions by a neighbor(s).)

But regarding the claim that the products at Home Depot won't work, that's not been my experience. I use all spray-on products that you connect to your hose. I have had a lot of luck with Revive for getting a thick, dark green lawn, Weed & Feed products in the spring and fall, and Ortho Bug B Gon to kill bugs in the lawn. I used to pay a gardener to do these, but I've had as much success with the Home Depot products at a fraction of the cost.

[Charley Chuckles]

I've taken classes with Dr Emerson who recommended digging up grass, yard dirt to give our non releasable squirrels to play, dig in ,eat roll in HOWEVER she said make sure your yard is NOT TREATED WITH Any CHEMICALS!

I'm assuming it's not good for wild Squirrels either.
I never use anything on my yard.... Then again I live on 3 acres in the woods 🌴

[Diggie's Friend]

Hi all. Does anybody know if treating the yard with fertilizer and weedkiller harms squirrels? Or any safe options? In the past we've used Scotts Step 1 and 2 (but that was before we befriended these backyard squirrels). Just don't want to do anything that could harm them but at the same time would like to keep a nice yard. Any suggestions are appreciated!

Yes; herbicides, pesticides, and synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, GMOs, have all been found to promote the development of various cancers including lymphomas, in rodents (rats and mice). See my GMO thread for (PLOS) study results.

Lymphomas have been documented in veterinary journals in at least two captive gray squirrels of advanced age. With the surgical removal of a single lesion in one case, the gray squirrel survived past 3 mo. with no reoccurrence during that period. The other gray squirrel was given chemo; yet the lesions returned.


Sadly, my friend's gray squirrel was exposed to a commercial herbicide sprayed on the weeds in their next door neighbor's yard, having initially received no pending notice of their intent to spray. The aeration of the herbicide had access through the wire fabric over the window area into the enclosed porch where their squirrel played daily. Within just a couple of weeks, the squirrel suddenly developed a cataract causing blindness in one eye. Then a lymphoma lesion developed on the flank, followed by a 2nd smaller lesion also. The larger of the two lesions was successfully removed by their local vet; yet not the smaller one was left for reason their squirrel was nearly lost during that surgery when their squirrel became too cold. The removal of the 2nd lesion was considered, yet the risk was significant, so they decided not to have the other lesion removed.

At nearly 11, this elderly southern gray squirrel, other than the cataract and the lesions, was still very much active and otherwise appeared to be healthy, with all blood values found to be normal and the x-ray clear with no MBD at the time of the diagnosis and surgery. The findings of the blood test and x-ray were subsequently reviewed and confirmed by Dr. E. of Florida. And though advanced age is noted as a known cause of cancer in rodents, as are viruses; with the jury now in on the negative effects of GMO's, herbicides, pesticides, and 'synthetic' nitrogen fertilizers, and natural fishmeal that contains higher levels of heavy metals, that have all been found to promote cancers in rodents, most often lymphomas; I can only advise avoiding their use entirely.

[Diggie's Friend]

Acetic acid is a highly acidic source which is the key component of white vinegar that is mostly water. It kills vegetation it is sprayed on.
Bermuda grass though may be the one cultivated grass that may not be destroyed as the roots can go down as far as 8 ft. deep.

There are lawn repair products which provide mat material with lawn seeds embedded in them, that can be cut to fit any shape to fill in
the bare spots in a lawn. Using both of these sources might help you get your lawn where you want it.

No need to get the product that contains both white vinegar and other additives that may be toxic; use just the plain white vinegar.
A hand spray bottle or a pump style bottle if you need to use more at a time.

Spray the weeds at the end of the day when all the squirrels have all left to go back to their nests.
By mid-morning the next day, the treated weeds will have absorbed the vinegar and be well on their way to being no more.

DO NOT substitute apple cider vinegar for the white vinegar to use in your yard.
Apple cider vinegar may attract squirrels, that might want take a test bite of a grass it is treated with this super strong acid source. .

White vinegar, on the oth4er hand, sends a message, like the urine of another animal do, to stay away!

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