Ammonia vs Critters

[Nathan Hays]

One of our guest hikers pulled out a bottle of unscented ammonia, poured some into six half-pint containers and set them around the kitchen, including some smelly stuff. Nothing was disturbed overnight for all seven days on the JMT.

Q: Is ammonia an effective deterrent?

[Bob Gross]

You might have been able to set out six half-pint containers of water and nothing was disturbed. That wouldn't make it an effective deterrant, either.

–B.G.–

[BlackHatGuy]

"That wouldn't make it an effective deterrant, either."

Nor would it mean that it's not an effective deterrent.

A quick google search shows a variety of sites promoting ammonia (usually rag-soaked in a dish of ammonia) as an effective deterrent for squirrels, possums and raccoons, among others.

[Jerry Adams]

Maybe it's like urine

If you mark your site with urine it might keep away critters

Critters sometimes mark their territory with urine

I sometimes mark my site with urine – maybe a Cougar or Bear would smell that and go a different way, rather than walk up to me (sleeping) and be surprised

[Author]

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