Petunias are popular, vibrant annuals known for their color, fragrance, and ease of care. While they thrive in various settings, they often attract common garden visitors, including squirrels.
Understanding Squirrel Behavior Around Petunias
Squirrels interact with petunias, but they are not typically a primary food source. The main reason squirrels disturb petunias is their natural digging habits, particularly when searching for or burying food. Potted plants and garden beds offer loose, easily workable soil, making them ideal spots for squirrels to bury nuts or seeds. This digging can lead to uprooted plants or disturbed root systems.
Squirrels might also dig in petunia beds while foraging for grubs or insects, especially when other food sources are scarce. While consumption of petunia flowers or foliage is less common, squirrels might nibble on them out of curiosity, opportunism, or when other food sources are limited. They may also seek moisture from the plants during dry periods.
Signs of Squirrel Damage to Petunias
Squirrel damage to petunias has specific visual cues. One of the most common signs is uprooted plants or disturbed soil, particularly in pots or freshly tilled garden beds. Squirrels create shallow holes, often leaving behind scattered soil around the plant.
You might also notice missing or partially chewed flowers and buds. Squirrels can clip off entire blooms or leave ragged tears on leaves or stems. Less frequently, chew marks on stems can indicate squirrel activity.
Effective Strategies to Deter Squirrels
Protecting petunias from squirrel damage involves several humane deterrence methods. Physical barriers are highly effective, such as placing chicken wire or netting over pots and garden beds. This creates a physical obstruction that prevents squirrels from digging or accessing the plants. For potted plants, a layer of stones or thick mulch on top of the soil can also discourage digging.
Natural repellents can also be employed, leveraging scents and tastes squirrels dislike. Sprinkling cayenne pepper, ground chili peppers, or pepper flakes around plants can deter them, as squirrels find the capsaicin unpleasant. Coffee grounds, with their strong scent, may also help, though their effectiveness can be temporary and requires reapplication after rain or watering. Other scents like peppermint oil or even human or dog hair can be used to create an unpleasant environment for squirrels.
Commercial deterrents are available and often contain ingredients like predator urine or botanical oils that repel squirrels without causing harm. Following product instructions is important for proper application. Maintaining a tidy garden by promptly removing fallen nuts, fruits, or seeds can reduce attractants for squirrels. Providing alternative food sources, such as a designated feeder with seeds or nuts away from your petunias, might redirect their foraging efforts.