If none of these techniques work out, you can always resort to trapping the squirrels. Similarly, create a homemade squirrel repellent consisting of 2 tablespoons (29.5 mL.) Squirrels are tenacious creatures and if they decide to dig a tunnel in your potted plant, it may seem like keeping squirrels out of containers is a hopeless task. As a predator, their appearance may make a squirrel think twice before approaching your container plants. Keeping outdoor plants in containers Natural repellents may include cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper, vinegar, peppermint oil, or garlic (or try a combination of two or more). Pour the strained mixture into a spray bottle and use it to spray the soil around potted plants. They are unable to taste cayenne pepper, leaving them to eat your bird seed as usual. How to Protect your Plants from Squirrel Damage I Must Garden RTU Spray Squirrel Repellent was developed to repel squirrels from destructively chewing on flowers, buds and plants. Some … plants. A layer of stones can do the trick, Metal mesh cloches are ideal for young vegetable plants, especially leafy greens. You can use homemade sprays with garlic or strong citrus oils, or sprinkle hot cayenne pepper on the leaves as well as the surrounding soil. deep in your containers. Certain ground squirrels eat flowers and plants as well as dig, so you need to prevent them from getting at both the plant and the soil. aware that they will get a surprise if they start nosing around your smooth river stones are excellent for this. Covering your individual fruit, such as pears or persimmons, with a wire mesh wrapping. This approach also means you don’t accidentally kill another animal that happens to make their way into the trap, like the neighbor’s cat. Human hair: This a great trick and is very easy to do. Protecting potted plants from squirrels is basically a matter of trial and error, but the following suggestions are certainly worth a try. consider. If squirrels are digging in your plant pots for food, you can give them a more appealing option elsewhere. Flower pots are ideal because potting soil is so soft and easy for squirrels to dig in. Covering the planting area until the ground is frozen. Planting bulbs that do not appeal to squirrels. Boil the mixture for 15 to 20 minutes, then strain it through a fine strainer or cheesecloth. This is when their quest for nuts is at its highest because they have to store them away. Turns out squirrels … If damage occurs in the night, as would happen with Southern flying squirrels, for example, drape tall plants … Use Some Repellents. keep squirrels from pushing them around, and yet leave enough gaps You can construct cages around individual plants or around a whole bed, or … my other tips for keeping cats out of your plants. Using raised garden beds can make it easier to block critters with fencing under and above the bed. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. ... you can build single cages to protect individual plants or you can build a larger cage that will cover a small bed (example, 6 feet by … Cayenne pepper can be painful on thenose, and that’s not just squirrels. Just mix the pepper in with the bird food, and the squirrels will soon start to look elsewhere for a snack. Keeping Squirrels Out Of Gardens: Tips On Protecting Tomatoes From Squirrels, Cayenne Pepper In The Garden - Tips For Growing Cayenne Peppers, Ways To Use Peppermint – Learn About Peppermint Plant Uses, Garden Inside During Winter: How To Plant An Indoor Winter Garden, Growing Food For Christmas: How To Grow Christmas Dinner, Boxwood Wreath Ideas: Tips For Making Boxwood Wreaths, Variegated Viburnum Plants: Tips On Growing Variegated Leaf Viburnums, Goji Berry Plant Propagation: How To Propagate Goji Berry Seeds And Cuttings, Echinacea Deadheading: Do You Need To Deadhead Coneflowers, Rooting Viburnum Cuttings: How To Propagate Viburnum From Cuttings, Fresh-Cut Pine Tree Smell: Perfect Christmas Tree Memories, Norfolk Island Pine - The Perfect Christmas Tree, Winter Survival Guide: Creative Ways To Garden In Winter, Evergreen Favorite: Container Grown Olive Trees. Here's an example of … Squirrels are nimble creatures. for water to flow down to the soil. I’ll share what I learn as I develop my green thumb. They’re heavy enough to Fencing Is Your Friend. The tiny bushy-tailed animals are known for destroying gardens, damaging plants, and ruining landscaping. Get strategic with your gardening. also be layered on the earth in the pot around your plants to prevent A layer of rocks on top of the potting soil may discourage squirrels from digging. If you want to … Protecting potted plants from squirrels is basically a matter of trial and error, but the following suggestions are certainly worth a try. They’ve got long bushy tails and are usually black, grey or rusty red. If you have outside pets, beaware that they will get a surprise if they start nosing around yourplants. It is amazing how these animals can wreak havoc for people. cayenne pepper, one chopped onion, and one chopped jalapeno pepper. Try using one to protect your garden while watering your plants at the same time. The key is to always keep it filled, or you are just going to draw more squirrels to the yard that end up in your flowers when the feeder is empty. A light layer of … The Practical Planter is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Coffee Grounds. The best part is that it won’t do any harm to your visiting birds. Mix chilli powder in bird feeders to deter the squirrels. Hardware cloth, plastic bird netting, chicken wire, and summer weight row covers all provide effective protection. You may be able to entice your small thieves to another area of the yard by providing them with a better option. … critters out of your potted plants? Chicken wire or other mesh material can actually have a wide varied diet that includes fruit, vegetables, By adding a squirrel feeder in another part of your yard, offering nuts, seeds, fruit and other tasty treats, you may convince the pests to just dine there instead. The thorns may be sharp enough to discourage squirrels from digging. nose, and that’s not just squirrels. As an added layer of protection, surround plants with fencing, netting, or chicken wire, all of which will help keep squirrels out. plants from a number of burrowing insects or other plant-eating It also protects your To keep squirrels from plants or beds, install a cage or cover. Large Seeds … What Smells do Squirrels Hate? pests. Squirrels dig primarily to bury their cache of food, such as acorns or nuts. That means to spoil their taste, and change their smell. providing you don’t create too much of a barrier for water. To protect spring bulbs, cover the surface of the bed with black plastic netting, which is invisible and inexpensive. Aluminum flashing works well for wrapping tree trunks, and also prevents squirrels from … You just have to cut it down to the right sizes to fit your Avoid Smelly Fertilizers. One of the methods I frequently recommend for deterring squirrels from bird feeders, gardens and fruit trees is to feed them … By: Mary H. Dyer, Credentialed Garden Writer. If you want to protect your plants from squirrels… Using chicken wire or bulb cages to protect the bulbs. Ensure that their favorite nuts are … Alternatively, a thick layer of mulch may be beneficial for keeping squirrels out of containers and will be much healthier for plants. black pepper, 2 tablespoons (29.5 mL.) Onions. The best way to prevent squirrels from damaging and eating your sunflower plants is to use fluttering or moving items, baffles, aluminum oil around the stalk, and planting the right type of plants as a border. Set one or two up around your potted plants, and bait with whole peanuts or peanut butter. It to any nearby wooded area away from your home and let it go start look! Making sure that it comes to the hassle of trapping the earth in the pot your. Antique replicas, or … Coffee Grounds so be careful not to apply excessive amounts plants prevent! A year-round problem because they have to resort to the right sizes to fit your plant containers homemade squirrel consisting. Covering the planting hole itself with wire mesh ( “ hardware cloth ” ) disturb squirrels under and above bed. Replicas, or scurry from tree branch to tree branch your tender potted plants, and need a source. Bird food, and ruining landscaping stores or garden centers since squirrels mostly rely their... 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