How to Keep Squirrels Out of Your Garden
If you’re wondering how to keep squirrels out of your garden, there are a few methods that may be effective. First, you’ll want to be aware of the signs that squirrels are in your yard. Fruits and vegetables may be missing, and you may notice bite marks in the garden beds. You can also try using live traps.
Methods Keep Squirrels Out of Your Garden
Rodent-proof bulbs
One way to keep squirrels out of your garden is by planting rodent-proof bulbs. This is relatively easy to do, and there are various materials available for this purpose. For example, stainless steel hardware cloth can be used for this purpose. You can purchase this material at your local hardware store. It is fairly stiff, but will keep rodents from eating the bulbs. Use it to cover bulbs in your garden, and you can even find tutorials online.
Clean any plant debris
When planting bulbs, make sure to check them for damage or papery layers. You should also clean any plant debris that can attract squirrels. A squirrel feeding station will also help keep squirrels from digging up bulbs. However, it may be against local ordinances to use these stations, especially in areas where squirrel populations are common.
You can also plant plants that are unattractive to squirrels. Flowers that squirrels do not like include the following: daffodils, crocus, and allium. Squirrels also do not like the smell of muscari or fritillaria. They will also dig up bulbs that contain poison or are milky in flavor.
Predator pee
If you have a garden full of squirrels, it is a good idea to use predator pee to deter them. Squirrels are not afraid of many animals, but they are scared of the ones that eat them. Fox urine, for example, is a powerful deterrent and can be purchased at hunting supply stores. However, you must apply the predator pee often, as it breaks down quickly when exposed to UV and rain. Hence, it is not a permanent fix.
There are many commercial repellents available for this purpose, but fox or coyote urine are the most effective. These urines have a stronger smell, which makes the squirrels think of the presence of a predator nearby. Another good deterrent is apple cider vinegar. It irritates the squirrels’ noses and makes them uncomfortable when they are foraging. They will lick it off of their paws and mouths, and eventually, they will stop coming into the garden.
Sprinkle the soil
Aside from predator pee, you can also sprinkle the soil around the plants to deter the squirrels from digging in your garden. However, you should remember that these products should not be used on vegetables and fruit.
Plants that repel squirrels
If you are trying to keep squirrels from damaging your garden, you may want to plant some plants that repel them. Mint is one popular plant that repels squirrels. It has a strong odor that animals cannot stand. Mint essential oil is often used in spray solutions and cotton balls to deter critters. Planting mint in your garden will not only keep squirrels out, it will also keep bees happy. There are many species of mint that are suitable for gardeners.
Plant Daffodils
Daffodils are another plant that repels squirrels. The flowers of this flower can be seen in many parks, churchyards, and gardens. They grow between eight and twelve inches high and have a strong scent. They are also easy to grow and are excellent for deterring squirrels.
Dragon head plants
Dragon head plants are perennial herbs that can be grown in the spring. They have heart-shaped flowers and arching stems. Squirrels also tend to avoid them due to their smell. You can also plant a variety of edible plants that repel squirrels.
Live traps
Live traps to keep squirrels out of the garden are a good way to keep them out of your garden. These traps are often caged and have one-way exclusion doors. Squirrels are left in the trap for a period of time, and then the trap is removed later. Make sure to check the traps regularly to remove any squirrels, and disinfect them thoroughly after use. You should also make sure to block any entrances to the house.
Put a squirrel food station
Another effective way to repel squirrels is to put a squirrel food station in your garden. These stations can be used for sunflower seeds, peanuts, and feed corn. Place these stations in an isolated area of your garden. Avoid placing them near planting beds, as they may attract other critters to the garden.
Vegetable plants
When it comes to vegetable plants, squirrels love to dig shallow holes in your planting beds. They also nibble the seeds of your vegetables and fruits. Sometimes they will leave part of a tomato, but other times they’ll eat the whole one. You might have noticed that your crops are not producing as usual. You’ll want to keep them from getting at your vegetables and fruits if you want them to remain in the garden. They’ll even gnaw on the ripened seedheads of your sunflowers and other crops.
