Dads50, Thanks for responding. Over the last few years, ever since I began my unscientific research of the issue, I have come up with a long list of items and the anecdotal support for the effectiveness of each. What I have found out from the numerous people I have spoken with, and from my own reading, is that some items work some of the time for some animals. As for the tabasco sauce and general line of capsaicin based repellents, I have been assured by more than one wildlife conservationist that it will not work for squirrels. And that is because, if I recall correctly, squirrels gnaw without needing to taste that which they are gnawing. Something they do with their cheeks to keep taste away from their tongues while they nibble. I really crossed the hot pepper line off my list a long time ago, and what with the use of silicone nowadays in wire insulation, the squirrels seem so attracted to it that I surmise they would tolerate most any taste anyway in order to pursue it. In any event, again, based on my own unscientific research, squirrels cannot be decisively stopped. They can be deterred somewhat. For example, during the warm months of the year, squirrels will have more options available, so to speak, in the field and thus may leave your vehicle in peace. But if a squirrel is intent about it, it can even chew through a bx cable. It will take time though and hopefully I will have good notice of the work in progress. Note that the only sure remedy for squirrels is a sealed garage. That is the consensus from everyone in the scientific community.
