Squirrels can be a delight to watch as they play and jump around, but it won’t be delightful anymore when you see them invade and damage your garden. Squirrels can be a delight to watch as they play and jump around, but it won’t be delightful anymore when you see them invade and damage your garden. They are infamous for eating fruits, vegetables, and flowers, and can also dig up and destroy plant roots. So you need to know how to keep squirrels out of garden if you want a healthy harvest. That’s why we are here for. In this article, we’ll discuss some practical ways to keep squirrels out of garden and protect your plants.
Methods and Strategies: How to Keep Squirrels Out of Garden
Here are some methods and strategies to keep squirrels out of your garden:
Physical Barriers
Erecting physical barriers is an effective way to keep squirrels out of your garden. You can use chicken wire or other mesh-like materials to cover your garden beds. Ensure the barrier is buried at least 6 inches deep in the soil to prevent squirrels from digging under it. If you have fruit trees, you can cover them with bird netting.
Repellents
You will find squirrel repellents on the market. Buy them and use them, so that you can keep squirrels away from your garden. You can also use natural repellents like hot pepper, spray, or commercial squirrel repellent. These repellents work by creating an unpleasant scent or taste that squirrels avoid.
Squirrel-Resistant Plants
Some plants, such as daffodils, alliums, and hyacinths, are not appealing to squirrels. Consider planting these plants in your garden to deter squirrels. You can also grow aromatic herbs like mint, lavender, or rosemary, which can mask the smell of your plants.
Provide Alternative Food Sources
Do you know why squirrels raid gardens? Well, in most cases they raid because they are hungry and they want food to eat. So you can divert their attention away from your garden, consider providing alternative food sources for them. You can place a squirrel feeder filled with nuts in a location away from your garden. By doing so, the squirrels will be more likely to go to the feeder instead of your garden for food. This can effectively reduce squirrel activity in your garden and protect your plants from damage.
Use Scare Tactics
This strategy can be an effective way to keep squirrels out of your garden. You can use motion-activated sprinklers, fake predators like owls or snakes, or even hang shiny objects like old CDs to scare away squirrels.
Keep Your Garden Clean
Squirrels are attracted to messy gardens with piles of leaves, weeds, and fallen fruits. You should keep your garden clean by raking up leaves, removing weeds, and harvesting fruits and vegetables as soon as they are ripe.
Use Fencing
You can use a wire mesh fence around your garden to prevent squirrels from entering. Please ensure the fence is at least 3 feet tall and buried 6 inches deep to prevent squirrels from digging under it.
Create Barriers Around Specific Plants
If squirrels target specific plants in your garden, you can create barriers around them. You can use wire cages or plastic tubing to protect individual plants from squirrel damage.
Use Scent-Based Deterrents
Squirrels have a keen sense of smell, and you can use certain scents to deter them. You can use natural oils like peppermint, lavender, human hair, or dog hair as a repellent.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question: Is it legal to trap and relocate squirrels?
Answer: Laws and regulations regarding trapping and relocating squirrels vary depending on your location. It is essential to check with your local government or wildlife agency to ensure you follow proper procedures.
Question: Are there any natural squirrel repellents that I can make at home?
Answer: Yes, there are several natural squirrel repellents that you can make at home, including hot pepper spray, garlic and vinegar solution, and predator urine.
Question: How often do I need to reapply squirrel repellents?
Answer: The frequency of reapplying squirrel repellents depends on the specific product and environmental conditions. Well, some repellents may need to be reapplied every few days, while others can last for several weeks.
Question: Can squirrels climb over or dig under physical barriers like fences or chicken wire?
Answer: Squirrels are skilled climbers and can easily climb over some physical barriers like fences. It is essential to bury them at least 6 inches deep into the ground to prevent them from digging under barriers like chicken wire.
Conclusion
In conclusion, squirrels can be a nuisance in the garden, but many effective methods and strategies exist to keep them out. Physical barriers, repellents, squirrel-resistant plants, scare tactics, and alternative food sources can all be used to protect your garden from squirrel damage.
It is important to check local laws and regulations before using specific methods and to consistently and consistently implement these strategies. By keeping squirrels out of the garden, you can enjoy a healthier, more beautiful garden and a more enjoyable gardening experience.
