Do dryer sheets deter squirrels?

Dryer sheets are often promoted online as a natural deterrent for squirrels, mice, and other pests because of their strong fragrance, but scientific evidence and pest control professional experience show they do not reliably deter squirrels. The idea is that the strong perfume and chemical scent from dryer sheets like Bounce overwhelms a squirrel's sensitive nose and makes them avoid the area where sheets are placed, such as in attics, garages, or near bird feeders. Some homeowners report anecdotal short-term success when placing fresh dryer sheets in entry holes or around plants. However, studies and field tests show that squirrels quickly habituate to the smell within a day or two, and hungry or nesting squirrels will simply push the sheets aside, shred them for nesting material, or ignore them completely if food and shelter are available. In fact, squirrels often use soft materials like dryer sheets to line their nests. Dryer sheets also lose their scent quickly outdoors and can become litter. Pest control experts do not recommend dryer sheets as a control method because they do not block entry, remove food, or eliminate existing squirrels. Effective squirrel control relies on sealing entry holes with metal flashing and hardware cloth, using squirrel-proof feeders with baffles, trimming tree branches away from roofs, and using one-way exclusion doors.