This week I'm making homemade pepper spray. I'll use the spray on the engines of our cars during this cold snap to deter squirrels. Squirrels can wreak havoc on the wiring of cars. Squirrels need to sharpen their teeth every day and will use electrical wire coatings in the absence of the bark of trees, they use the wiring in cars. I put about 2 tablespoons of cayenne powder and pour rubbing alcohol to cover the spice in a non-reactive bowl. I let the cayenne pepper soak overnight. Today I'll pour some vegetable oil in and mix it and then strain/sieve the pepper out of the mixture. I'll put the mixture in a spray bottle and Gary will spray the engines of our cars.
We used commercial pepper spray in Florida to protect our cars and our moving bus and never had a problem. Others in our neighborhood had lots of problems with squirrels. The commercial spray has risen in price to almost $30 a bottle. Hoping my homemade spray is just as effective. Perhaps this pepper spray can also be used as personal self defence. These days you can't be too careful. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
CAUTION: USE AT YOUR OWN RISK, YOU MUST ADD THE OIL OR THE VOLATILES CAN BE CAUGHT BY THE WIND AND BLOW BACK AT YOU.
I hope it works.
ReplyDeleteAnd find myself suspecting that my partner would love your homemade pepper spray. I have never come accross a dish too spicy or hot for him to eat.
Hi Sue, thanks, we love our steamy dishes as well.
DeleteI've never heard of that before. I bet that gets them a-hopping! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Lee, thanks, those pesky squirrels can cause a lot of damage to wiring in a car making it undriveable and a very costly repair.
DeleteMerry Christmas and aloha from Hawaii, Linda.
ReplyDeleteHi Gigi, thanks, making it through another year.
DeleteOh dear, I'd never heard of that...and when I see a squirrel turning somersaults I'll know why! I don't do hot stuff, so don't even have cayenne around any more. Also never had any wires chewed upon, knock on wood.
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara, thanks, one of our neighbors in Florida had thousands of dollars in car repair bills, the squirrels sharpen their teeth on the wiring coatings.
DeleteLinda, I wonder if that would keep cats and kittens out of the car engines too in winter. We always have to check before starting the car or truck.
ReplyDeleteHi Rian, thanks, I don't know if that would keep them out, I think they go in their to keep warm but once the engine gets cold the metal must be colder than leaves or the ground I'd think. I once adopted a cat that was found in an engine compartment, her name was Meiko, a beautiful tortoise shell color; long since gone.
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