The best all-purpose animal repellents use smell and taste to deter a range of wildlife, from rabbits and squirrels to deer. A broad repellent is the right choice when you are not sure which animal is damaging the garden. Here are the ones worth using.
- Putrescent egg solids and hot pepper are the most reliable broad repellents.
- A multi-animal formula saves buying a separate product for each species.
- Reapply after rain and every few weeks.
- No repellent is a physical barrier, so very hungry animals may still test plants.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Type | Best For | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonide Repels-All 32 oz Spray | Spray | Best Overall | Check price |
| Natural Armor 128 oz Spray | Spray | Best Large | Check price |
| Bonide Hot Pepper Wax | Spray | Best Hot Pepper | Check price |
| Bonide Repels-All Concentrate | Concentrate | Best Concentrate | Check price |
| Bonide Repels-All Granules | Granular | Best Granular | Check price |
| Mighty Mint Peppermint Spray | Spray | Best Natural | Check price |
Best Overall: Bonide Repels-All 32 oz Spray
Best Overall- Type
- Ready-to-use spray
- Active
- Dried blood and egg solids
- Target
- Multiple species
- Reapply
- Every few weeks
Bonide Repels-All is the best-known broad animal repellent, using dried blood and egg solids to deter rabbits, deer, squirrels, and other animals by smell and taste. The ready-to-use spray is the most convenient way to protect a garden.
It is the right starting point when you are not sure which animal is browsing, since one product covers most garden pests.
Best Large: Natural Armor 128 oz Spray
Best Large- Type
- Spray
- Target
- Multiple species
- Size
- 128 oz
- Reapply
- After rain
Natural Armor’s 128-ounce spray covers a large yard and lasts through the season. The broad formula deters opossums, squirrels, and other wildlife with a scent they avoid.
The gallon-and-a-half size is the economical choice when you have a lot of ground to cover.
Best Hot Pepper: Bonide Hot Pepper Wax
Best Hot Pepper- Type
- Hot pepper wax spray
- Active
- Capsaicin
- Target
- Browsing animals
- Sticks
- Waxy coating
Bonide’s Hot Pepper Wax uses capsaicin, the compound that makes peppers hot, to deter animals by taste. The waxy coating helps it stick to plants and last through light rain.
It is the right choice when browsing animals are eating plants, since the hot taste stops them at the first bite.
Best Concentrate: Bonide Repels-All Concentrate
Best Concentrate- Type
- Concentrate
- Active
- Dried blood and egg solids
- Target
- Multiple species
- Mixing
- Dilute with water
The concentrate form of Repels-All is the cost-effective way to protect a large garden or landscape. You dilute it with water in your own sprayer.
It is the right choice when you have a lot of plants to protect and want the broad Repels-All formula at the best price.
Best Granular: Bonide Repels-All Granules
Best Granular- Type
- Granular
- Active
- Dried blood and egg solids
- Target
- Multiple species
- Coverage
- Perimeter barriers
The granular form of Repels-All spreads a perimeter barrier around beds and gardens without spraying. It is the set-and-forget option for protecting a defined area.
Granules release their scent slowly and work well as a perimeter around a vegetable bed or flower border.
Best Natural: Mighty Mint Peppermint Spray
Best Natural- Type
- Peppermint oil spray
- Active
- Peppermint oil
- Target
- Animals and rodents
- Size
- 1 gallon
Mighty Mint uses concentrated peppermint oil to deter animals and rodents with a strong scent they avoid. It is the natural, non-toxic choice for households with pets and children.
The gallon size is economical for repeated application through the season.
How to Choose an Animal Repellent
Identify the Animal
A broad repellent works when you are not sure what is browsing. If you know the animal, a species-specific product can be more effective.
Reapplication
Every repellent fades and washes off, so consistency matters. Plan to reapply after rain and every few weeks.
Pair With a Barrier
No repellent is a physical fence. For heavy pressure, pair the repellent with a fence or barrier, using the repellent to protect what the fence cannot cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, especially the egg-solid and hot pepper formulas, when reapplied consistently. No repellent is a physical barrier, so very hungry animals may still test plants.
Putrescent egg solids, garlic, and strong mint are the scents most animals avoid. Hot pepper works by taste rather than smell.
Most are safe once dry, and peppermint options are the gentlest. Keep pets away until the product dries and follow the label.
Every few weeks and after rain. Repellents wash off foliage and fade over time.
For a small garden, repellent alone can be enough. For heavy pressure, a fence or barrier is the only guaranteed solution, with repellent as a supplement.
