Here are a few ways to keep squirrels out of your garden safely and naturally.
Inside, their nesting materials could become potential fire hazards.
Don’t delay in trying to coax squirrels away from your house and garden.
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They will also make quick work oftulip bulbs, and even tulip blossoms.
However, there are many plants that squirrels find distasteful.
These plants have strong odors or flavors that squirrels do not enjoy.
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but won’t bother the birds.
After the harvest is over, remove any dropped fruits or vegetables from the ground.
Homemade recipes may also include garlic or onion, cider vinegar, or peppermint oil.
The Spruce / Micah Issitt and Adrienne Legault
Repellents may have some success used in conjunction with other deterrents, but gardeners must be vigilant about reapplication.
Wind, water, and sunlight will cause repellants to break down quickly.
A floating row cover is surprisingly effective as a barrier in the vegetable garden.
The Spruce / Candace Madonna
Metal mesh cloches are ideal for young vegetable plants, especially leafy greens.
Sink additional chicken wire over freshly planted bulbsto prevent digging.
Aluminum flashing or metal bands work well for wrapping tree trunks and also prevent squirrels from running up trees.
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Paper bags will enablesunflowersto fully ripen without molestation.
As urban animals, squirrels have adapted to live alongside all kinds of noises and other stimuli.
Plant pot grids or netting can also deter not only squirrels but other pests from digging, as well.
Daugirdas Tomas Racys / Getty Images
Plant hot peppers or apply hot pepper flakes to plants in your garden to keep squirrels away.
Baffling the squirrels.University of Georgia Extension.
Squirrels in the Garden.New York Botanical Garden.
Helin Loik-Tomson / Getty Images
What to do about squirrels.The Humane Society of the United States.
Nigel Harris / Getty Images
Richard Newstead / Getty Images
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The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
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The Spruce / Micah Issitt and Adrienne Legault
