Geraniums (Pelargonium) are not a dietary preference for squirrels. The plant’s leaves and stems contain volatile phytochemicals, including alcohols and terpenes, that produce a scent and taste squirrels find unpalatable. Despite this natural defense, gardeners often observe significant destruction. The issue is less about squirrels consuming geraniums and more about their complex behaviors in the garden.
The Squirrel-Geranium Relationship
Squirrels avoid ingesting geraniums because the plant’s chemical composition is irritating to their digestive systems and mouth tissues. The strong aroma that humans enjoy is a deterrent for small mammals relying on their sense of smell for foraging. Gardeners often find snipped stems and flower buds scattered nearby, indicating destructive interaction not driven by hunger.
Damage appears as chewed stems or the complete decapitation of flower stalks, which are discarded nearby. This behavior is distinct from feeding, where the material would be carried away or consumed. The resulting mess confirms the plant’s effectiveness at discouraging consumption. Geraniums are classified as squirrel-resistant because they are rarely eaten, despite being frequent targets of non-ingestive damage.
Understanding the Motivation for Damage
Squirrels engage in destructive behavior due to natural instincts as rodents. They possess perpetually growing incisor teeth and must constantly gnaw on materials to keep them worn down. Although geranium stems are relatively soft, they can become a convenient target for this necessary gnawing action.
Another motivator is the caching instinct, which involves burying or retrieving nuts and seeds. Loose soil in a freshly watered container or garden bed provides an ideal location for burying winter stores. While digging, squirrels often uproot or scatter surrounding plants, leaving the vegetation wilted. During periods of drought, squirrels may also chew on succulent stems to access moisture, not for food.
Effective Prevention Strategies
Addressing the problem requires implementing deterrents that target these specific behaviors rather than masking the plant’s flavor. Applying a capsaicin-based spray to the foliage is an effective repellent, as squirrels dislike the hot sensation on their mouths and paws. Capsaicin, derived from chili peppers, works because birds cannot taste it, allowing for targeted use.
Physical barriers are successful, especially for container plants, as they prevent digging. Laying chicken wire or a similar mesh material over the soil surface discourages squirrels from scratching or burying caches. A simple, non-toxic method involves soaking cotton balls in peppermint oil and placing them around the base of the plants, as the strong scent is offensive to rodents. For persistent issues, providing a distraction feeder away from the geraniums can redirect the squirrels’ attention to an easier food source.