Protecting garden plants from foraging wildlife, especially squirrels, is a common frustration for home gardeners. Squirrels are notorious for digging up bulbs, disturbing containers, and sampling produce. When searching for natural, non-toxic solutions, many people consider common kitchen ingredients like garlic (Allium sativum). This article explores whether squirrels view garlic as a food source or as a powerful repellent.
The Core Question: Do Squirrels Consume Garlic?
Squirrels generally do not consume garlic, primarily due to its intense flavor and odor, which signals an undesirable food source. The strong, sulfurous compounds in the bulb are off-putting to most animals, whose sense of smell is acute. When other food sources are available, squirrels actively avoid eating garlic cloves or the plant’s foliage.
However, squirrels are highly opportunistic feeders, especially when facing food scarcity. While actual consumption is rare, squirrels have been observed digging up newly planted garlic bulbs. This disturbance is often a result of their natural behavior to bury or search for cached nuts. They may occasionally gnaw on a soft bulb out of curiosity or hunger, but disturbing the soil is the more frequent issue gardeners face.
Chemical Compounds That Deter Squirrels
Garlic’s effectiveness as a repellent is rooted in its unique chemistry, specifically its high concentration of organosulfur compounds. When a garlic clove is damaged, an enzyme called alliinase is released. This enzyme converts alliin into a volatile compound known as allicin.
Allicin is responsible for garlic’s signature pungent aroma and sharp taste, serving as the plant’s natural defense mechanism against pests and herbivores. Squirrels possess a keen sense of smell, which they rely on heavily for foraging and detecting predators. The overwhelming scent of allicin acts as an acute irritant to their sensitive nasal passages.
This intense sensory experience triggers an immediate aversion response, overriding any potential foraging impulse. The strong, volatile odor makes the treated area unappealing and masks the scent of any desirable food hidden beneath the soil. The deterrent effect is purely sensory, making it a humane pest control method.
Practical Methods for Using Garlic as a Repellent
Translating garlic’s deterrent chemistry into an effective garden strategy requires targeted application to maximize the release of the sulfur compounds.
Liquid Spray Deterrent
One common method is creating a homemade liquid deterrent by blending crushed garlic cloves with water, sometimes including dish soap as an emulsifier. This mixture is strained and then applied directly as a spray to the foliage of vulnerable plants, soil surfaces, and garden borders.
Localized Barriers
For a localized defense, placing crushed or minced garlic cloves directly into the soil near high-value plants creates a concentrated scent barrier. Crushing the cloves ensures the immediate release of allicin into the surrounding environment. Companion planting is another effective, long-term approach, involving planting garlic bulbs or related strong-smelling alliums densely around the perimeter of a garden bed.
Reapplication Needs
The strong scent that repels squirrels is prone to degradation. Because the volatile compounds evaporate and are easily washed away by rain or irrigation, the repellent must be reapplied frequently. Regular reapplication, typically every few days or immediately after significant rainfall, is necessary to maintain a potent scent barrier.