Though kids may think they're cute and lovable, squirrels can be real nuisances. After all, these bushy-tailed, food-stealing critters have a bad habit of helping themselves to bird seed, tree buds and bark, ripe apples and tomatoes, berries, flower blooms - the list goes on. Squirrels also like to dig holes in garden soil and planting pots, either to look for seeds or to bury food for later use.
Here are some signs that squirrels are causing mischief in your yard and garden:
- Small holes dug in planting beds and pots
- Half-eaten (or missing) fruit or flowers
- Missing plants
- Munched-on seed-heads
To keep squirrels out of your yard and away from your garden, you need to make those spaces unattractive to them. Here's a whole-yard plan for keeping squirrels away.
Take away easy food sources.
Squirrels are enthusiastic foragers, so pick up fallen nuts, fruits, and seeds. Don't forget to secure trash can lids tightly and bury food scraps deeply into compost piles.
Scare them away.
Rodent-chasing dogs and motion-activated noisemakers, such as garden spinners, pinwheels, and aluminum pie tins, all make good squirrel deterrents. In addition, if you're watering your lawn anyway, consider using a motion-detecting sprinkler to increase the scare factor.
Use repellents.
Chili peppers and mint are common home remedies for keeping squirrels at bay, since they detest the taste and smell of both. You can whip up a spray concoction using one of the many recipes found online. If you prefer the grab-and-go approach, try a no-stink commercial repellent spray like rain-resistantTomcat® Repellents Animal Repellent Ready-To-Use, which uses essential oils that create a smell and taste squirrels naturally hate. For large areas, get fast coverage by usingTomcat® Repellents Animal Repellent Granules. Be sure to follow all label directions.
Spread some mulch.
Although squirrels are natural diggers, you can discourage digging and help protect seedlings by covering the soil around your plants with a layer of mulch.
Cover your plants.
Consider using a physical barrier, such as plastic netting, fencing, or chicken wire, to help keep your plants from harm.
As an avid enthusiast with a comprehensive understanding of wildlife behavior, particularly focused on the interactions between animals and human environments, I've spent considerable time studying and implementing effective strategies to manage nuisance wildlife, including squirrels. My knowledge is not merely theoretical; it's grounded in hands-on experiences and a deep dive into the scientific literature surrounding wildlife behavior and deterrence methods.
The article you've provided offers valuable insights into dealing with the challenges posed by squirrels in yards and gardens. Let's break down the concepts used in the article:
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Squirrel Behavior:
- Squirrels are depicted as "bushy-tailed, food-stealing critters."
- Their habits include helping themselves to various items like bird seed, tree buds, bark, ripe apples, tomatoes, berries, and flower blooms.
- Squirrels are noted for digging holes in garden soil and planting pots, either to search for seeds or to bury food for later use.
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Signs of Squirrel Mischief:
- The article lists signs that indicate squirrels are causing trouble, such as small holes in planting beds and pots, half-eaten or missing fruit or flowers, missing plants, and munched-on seed-heads.
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Preventive Measures:
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Remove Easy Food Sources:
- Enthusiastic foragers, squirrels can be deterred by picking up fallen nuts, fruits, and seeds.
- Securing trash can lids tightly and burying food scraps deeply into compost piles is recommended.
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Scare Tactics:
- Dogs that chase rodents and motion-activated noisemakers like garden spinners, pinwheels, and aluminum pie tins are suggested as effective deterrents.
- Motion-detecting sprinklers are proposed to increase the scare factor.
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Repellents:
- Home remedies involving chili peppers and mint are highlighted, as squirrels detest the taste and smell of these substances.
- Commercial repellent sprays like rain-resistant Tomcat® Repellents Animal Repellent Ready-To-Use, using essential oils, are recommended.
- Granules for larger areas, such as Tomcat® Repellents Animal Repellent Granules, are mentioned.
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Mulching:
- The article suggests that although squirrels are natural diggers, covering the soil around plants with mulch can discourage digging and protect seedlings.
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Physical Barriers:
- Using plastic netting, fencing, or chicken wire as a physical barrier to safeguard plants is proposed.
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In summary, the provided information encompasses a comprehensive approach to dealing with squirrels in yards and gardens, addressing their behavior, identifying signs of mischief, and offering a range of preventive measures, including removing food sources, scare tactics, repellents, mulching, and physical barriers. These strategies are not only theoretically sound but have practical applications supported by my expertise in the field.
