Impatiens are popular annual flowers for home gardens, prized for their ability to deliver bright color in shady areas. Their fast growth and lush appearance make them a favorite bedding plant for borders and containers. The sudden appearance of dug-up plants or clipped stems can be frustrating. This damage often leads to the question of whether local wildlife, particularly squirrels, are treating these tender plants as a food source. This article addresses the relationship between squirrels and impatiens and offers methods to protect your garden beds.
The Interaction: Do Squirrels Consume Impatiens?
Impatiens are not a primary food source for squirrels and are generally avoided when other food options are available. The plant material is considered non-toxic, though ingesting large amounts may cause a mild stomach upset. Squirrels are opportunistic foragers; while they may occasionally nibble on leaves or flowers, most damage relates to caching and exploration.
The main attraction is the soft, recently disturbed soil, which offers an easy place to bury or retrieve nuts and seeds. When a squirrel digs a shallow hole near the base of an impatiens, the plant is often uprooted and left lying on the surface, not consumed. This search for buried food, or sometimes for moisture, is the underlying cause of most squirrel-related destruction. Squirrels are simply using the garden as a convenient digging spot, with the impatiens becoming collateral damage.
Identifying the Culprit: Squirrel Damage vs. Other Pests
Identifying the animal responsible for the damage is the first step in effective garden protection. Squirrel damage is distinct because it primarily involves soil disturbance rather than heavy consumption of the plant material. The most common sign is the presence of small, shallow holes, usually one to two inches deep, dug near the base of the impatiens. Plants are often completely uprooted and pushed to the side, or you may find clipped stems and flower heads discarded nearby.
This pattern differs from the feeding habits of other common garden pests. Rabbits tend to make clean, 45-degree cuts on stems and leaves close to the ground and do not typically dig up plants. Deer browsing leaves a ragged, torn appearance on stems, as they pull the plant material rather than cutting it cleanly. Damage from voles or mice is characterized by gnawing on roots and the base of the plant, often resulting in the plant dying without obvious above-ground signs.
Practical Strategies for Protecting Your Impatiens
Protecting impatiens from squirrels involves an approach that addresses both their digging habit and their sensitive sense of smell. One effective method is using physical barriers placed directly over the soil surface. Laying a mesh of chicken wire or hardware cloth loosely over the freshly planted bed prevents squirrels from digging into the soil without impeding the impatiens’ growth. Securing the edges of this mesh ensures they cannot push it aside to access the soft dirt underneath.
Another strategy utilizes repellents that take advantage of the squirrel’s aversion to strong scents and tastes. Commercial granular repellents often contain dried blood or predator urine, signaling danger to the squirrel. Applying cayenne pepper or ground chili powder directly on the soil can also deter digging, as the capsaicin irritates the squirrel’s paws and mouth. These scent-based deterrents must be reapplied regularly, especially following rainfall or overhead watering, to maintain potency.
Reducing attractants in the immediate area is a helpful management technique. If you use a bird feeder, ensure it is located a distance from your impatiens, as spilled seed is a major draw for squirrels. You can also offer a designated decoy feeding station, stocked with nuts and seeds, far away from your flower beds. Covering freshly tilled or fertilized soil with mulch or temporary netting immediately after planting discourages squirrels from exploiting the newly softened ground for caching.