Nothing ruins the joy of gardening quite like realizing that squirrels have ravaged your plot. They may be cute, but squirrels can wreak havoc in your garden by digging up bulbs, digging holes to bury their nuts, and snacking on your plants. Don’t let these critters ruin all your hard work. Here are some simple steps you can take to keep squirrels out of your garden.
Plant Squirrel-Repellent Plants
There are several plants that squirrels dislike, so placing them throughout your garden can deter them from coming too close. Examples include daffodils, alliums, and marigolds. Their strong scents and tastes make them unattractive to squirrels. Plus, they add some color and variety to your garden.
Install Physical Barriers
One of the most efficient methods to keep squirrels out of your garden is by placing physical barriers that they cannot easily climb over, under, or through. Use wire mesh or chicken wire to build a fence around your garden. Make sure to bury it at least 6 inches deep to prevent squirrels from digging under it. Additionally, you can cover your beds with netting, or lay cages over individual plants. Be sure to leave enough space for the plants to grow, but not enough space for squirrels to wiggle their way in.
Use Natural Deterrents
Squirrels are deterred by certain scents and tastes. Consider natural deterrents like blood meal or bone meal, which help to repel squirrels by giving off a strong scent that they dislike. You can also sprinkle chili powder or cayenne pepper around the base of your plants, as squirrels do not like the smell of spicy foods. If possible, try planting herbs such as mint, rosemary, or lavender, which have strong odors that can discourage squirrels. Bonus: these herbs are also useful in the kitchen.
Remove Food Sources
Squirrels are attracted to gardens because they are searching for food. Remove any potential food sources to make your garden less appealing to squirrels. Do not leave fallen fruit or seeds from bird feeders on the ground, clean up any spilled birdseed regularly, and keep your compost pile as far away from your garden as possible. Also, consider using squirrel-proof bird feeders to reduce the amount of food squirrels can access.
Train Your Pets
If you have dogs or cats, they can be valuable garden guardians to eliminate squirrels from your yard. Squirrels are naturally wary of predators, so having your pets chase them away can teach the squirrels not to come back. Just make sure your pets don’t damage your plants in the process.
Scare Them Off
Squirrels are also deterred by movement and noise. Hang wind chimes or aluminum pie plates in your garden to create noise, or install a motion-activated sprinkler. The noise and movement will startle squirrels and scare them away. While this won’t necessarily keep squirrels out of your garden for good, it will buy you some time to implement more permanent solutions.
Fake Them Out
Another trick to try is putting out a decoy bird feeder filled with something squirrels love, like sunflower seeds. Once they find the decoy, they will focus on it and leave your actual garden alone. This can be an effective way to divert squirrels from your plants.
Conclusion
Squirrels can cause significant damage to gardens, but there are many methods to keep them out. Planting squirrel-repellent plants, installing physical barriers, using natural deterrents, removing food sources, training your pets, and trying scare or fake-out tactics are all options to consider. Choose the method or combination of methods that works best for you and enjoy a healthy, squirrel-free garden.
