The Best All-Natural Turkey Repellent Recipes

While turkeys are known for being a delicious meal during Thanksgiving, they can be a nuisance and are also kind of terrifying. They have a habit of destroying gardens and lawns while searching for food, causing traffic delays when crossing roads, and male turkeys can become aggressive during mating season, leading to them charging and damaging cars with reflective surfaces.

Wild turkeys like gardens because they can find food there, like insects, seeds, and plants. Gardens also provide them with places to hide and feel safe from other animals. Having water sources, like birdbaths or garden ponds, can also attract turkeys. So, how can we deter them while also considering their overall well-being? With natural turkey repellent, of course! 

Why Choose a Homemade Turkey Repellent?

Homemade repellents are cheap, easy to make, and don’t contain dangerous chemicals. Using certain natural products with strong smells can help deter birds, and you may already have these items at home. Some smells that birds dislike:

1. Essential Oils: Birds find scents like peppermint oil overpowering. The strong smell of peppermint alone can effectively repel birds.

2. Peppers: Most peppers have a spicy smell that creates a burning sensation. Types like chili peppers and cayenne peppers can deter birds effectively.

3. Garlic: Birds avoid garlic due to its natural odor and allicin, a compound with a pungent smell.

4. Cinnamon: The aromatic scent of cinnamon is irritating to most birds, making it an effective deterrent.

5. Vinegar: Birds are repelled by the harsh and unpleasant smell of vinegar, causing them to avoid it.

6. Citrus Oil: Birds tend to dislike the smell of citrus. However, if you plan to use citrus oil as a deterrent, it must make direct contact with the bird to be effective.

Ingredients Needed for Your DIY Turkey Repellent

Pick one of the scents mentioned above as the main component for your DIY bird repellent. With these scents, you can mix water, apple cider vinegar, or liquid dish soap to create a solution that will keep birds away. There are multiple other recipes you can try, too. Today, I chose to make one with what was on hand in my pantry: cayenne pepper repellent! But I have also listed some others you could try.

Cayenne Pepper Repellent

3 drops of liquid dish soap 

1 tablespoons of cayenne pepper 

½ gallon of water

Mint And Citrus Repellent

25 drops of any mint oil, such as peppermint oil

25 drops of a citrus oil like lemon oil

1  cup of vinegar

1 cup of water

Garlic Repellent

8 lightly crushed cloves of garlic 

1 cup of olive oil

(infuse for a week for maximum effectiveness)

Cinnamon Repellent

¾ cup water 

¼ cup cinnamon

Step-by-Step Guide: Making and Using Your Own Turkey Repellent

Simply choose any of the above recipes, combine the ingredients, and add them to a spray bottle for dispersing around your garden. You can also soak cotton buds in the mix to sit in the areas where the turkeys congregate. A friend of mine even soaks tampons in these solutions and ties them to her garden fences!

Be aware that some of the ingredients in the turkey repellent may affect what you spray it on. For example, if you spray the cayenne pepper solution on your fruits and vegetables, you will need to wash them well before consumption unless you like spice! Similarly, solutions with vinegar may have a bleaching effect on surfaces.

The following is a step-by-step recipe for the cayenne pepper repellent.

You will need:

• 3 drops of liquid dish soap 
• 1 tablespoons of cayenne pepper 
• ½ gallon of water

Step 1: Add dish soap to a 1/2 gallon (or larger) jug.

Step 2: Add the water to the jug

Step 3: Add the cayenne pepper to the jug

Step 4: Whisk the solution until it is combined.

Safety Measures When Using Homemade Turkey Repellent

When making homemade bird repellent, it’s essential to think about the well-being of the birds. It’s recommended to use safe and non-toxic products, especially if you have plants around, to avoid any contamination of your own crops.

Dealing with bird repellent requires careful planning. Knowing the legal rules that protect birds is important to effectively keep them away from your property. Depending on where you live, most bird species are protected by the law. Before doing anything that might disturb birds in your area, it’s a good idea to research the local regulations. Tree-based oils like eucalyptus, tea tree, cinnamon, and sandalwood can cause breathing problems for birds, so it’s best to avoid using them.

Dealing with Persistent Turkeys: Additional Strategies

Choose Turkey-Resistant Plants

To keep wild turkeys away, opt for plants they find less appealing. Plant rosemary, sage, and thyme, as turkeys dislike their strong scents. Incorporate prickly plants like yuccas, holly bushes, or cacti near vulnerable areas. Select plants that turkeys are less familiar with, reducing the chance of them nibbling.

Use Physical Barriers

Creating barriers can effectively deter turkeys. Install a tall fence (at least six feet high) around your garden, burying it a few inches into the ground. Cover vulnerable plants with bird netting or mesh to prevent turkeys from accessing them. Use scarecrows, reflective tape, or motion-activated sprinklers to startle turkeys away.

Implement Repellents

Various repellents can discourage turkeys from approaching your garden. Consider these options:

1. Spray Repellents: Apply commercial sprays with natural ingredients like garlic, hot pepper, or rotten egg. Reapply after rain.

2. Ultrasonic Devices: Use devices that emit high-pitched sounds that are irritating to turkeys but inaudible to humans.

3. Predator Decoys: Place realistic plastic owls or hawks in your garden to create a perceived threat.

Maintain a Clean Garden

Keeping your garden tidy can discourage turkeys from foraging. Regularly clean up fallen fruit to remove a food source that attracts turkeys. Avoid scattering birdseed on the ground, as it can attract turkeys and other birds. Ensure trash bins are tightly sealed to prevent turkeys from scavenging.

Create Unappealing Ground Conditions

Modify your garden’s ground conditions to make it less comfortable for turkeys. Apply mulch or gravel around plant bases to deter turkeys from walking on it. Elevate plants using trellises or raised beds to discourage turkeys from foraging.

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