Why Are People Sprinkling Cayenne Pepper in Their Yard? Gardeners Explain

There’s no shortage of old wives’ tales and home gardening hacks to explore, especially when it comes to pest control. One that’s recently caught our attention involves cayenne pepper. It seems sprinkling this pantry staple is thought to deter mammals large and small, and we were curious to find out more.

With this question in mind, we checked in with two gardening pros to find out if this hack works, as well as other natural ways to control pests in the garden.

Why Use Cayenne Pepper in a Garden?

According to horticulturist Justin Hancock, cayenne pepper is believed to be most effective for repelling mammals such as deer, rabbits, and squirrels.

Its efficacy comes down to a compound called capsaicin, which is what gives cayenne pepper its signature burn. Much like humans, this burn doesn’t appeal to everyone. In fact, it’s something a lot of pests understandably dislike. 

“If a deer nibbles on your favorite Hosta, the theory is that when their mouth starts burning, they’ll move on to other plants,” Hancock says. 

It’s a solid theory, and one Hancock says can work well in practice. However, there are quite a few downsides to using cayenne pepper as your main source of pest control.

“It has to be reapplied after rains, heavy dew, and potentially on windy days if you don’t apply it with a surfactant,” he says, referring to a chemical that can better allow water and nutrients to penetrate the soil.

As naturalist David Mizejewski points out, it’s also worth noting that if you’re looking to keep birds away from your garden, you won’t have the same amount of success. Cayenne pepper is really only found to be effective against mammals.

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5 Other Pantry Items for Pest Control

People are often drawn to pantry items as pest control because they’re seeking natural alternatives to store-bought chemicals. With this in mind, there are other things you might readily have on hand that can be helpful with pest control—but they might require some trial and error.

• Lemon juice is a great option to keep ants away, and it can be combined with water to create a handy spray. 
• Peppermint oil is also helpful for deterring ants, because much like lemon, the smell is a major turn-off. It’s also said to keep spider mites and small rodents at bay, too. 
• Garlic is said to deter flies and aphids, thanks to its compound allicin, which is also a natural antifungal. 
• Coffee grounds are great for keeping snails and slugs out of your flower beds and off your plants, while naturally enriching your soil at the same time.
• Egg shells can have a similar effect on slugs and snails, creating a barrier that they will not attempt to climb. Much like coffee grounds, they can also enrich your soil.

4 Other Natural Pest Control Solutions

If you’re looking for something that’s more effective but still natural, there are a few other options you can try, and these don’t need to come from the grocery store. 

• Cayenne Pepper Spray: Rather than sprinkling cayenne pepper straight from your spice cabinet, look for natural sprays made with cayenne. Mizejewski says these are often more effective because they’re less likely to get washed away in the elements. 
• Motion Lights: Solar-powered motion detector lights and ultrasound repellers can be useful against some pests, especially if they’re wreaking havoc at night.
• Companion Planting: If you’re looking to make changes in your garden, companion planting might be a great option. Certain plants are said to repel various pests, and can be well-placed alongside other plants that need protection. 
• Physical Barriers: Fences and wire mesh are effective for keeping plants safe from wildlife. In fact, Mizejewski says when installed properly, these can be the most effective chemical-free solution.