Squirrels are often viewed as charming backyard residents, but for gardeners, these energetic rodents are opportunistic foragers that pose a persistent threat to vegetable patches. They are not limited to nuts and seeds; instead, they possess a highly adaptable, omnivorous diet that includes a wide range of garden produce. This adaptability makes them a common source of frustration for anyone cultivating a harvest. Understanding what attracts them, how they inflict damage, and the most effective ways to deter them is the first step toward protecting a garden bounty.
The Squirrel Menu: What Vegetables They Target
Squirrels are attracted to a garden primarily because it offers a dense, high-calorie food source, often targeting produce as it reaches peak ripeness. Fruiting vegetables are a particular favorite, including tomatoes, which they often chew on just as the fruit begins to blush, and soft berries like strawberries and blueberries. Melons, cucumbers, and summer squash also present an appealing meal, especially during dry periods when their high water content serves as hydration.
Starchy vegetables, notably sweet corn, become irresistible once the kernels enter the “milky” stage, offering an easily digestible energy source. Root vegetables such as carrots and beets are also vulnerable, though squirrels often target the tender greens first. They also seek out seeds, finding freshly planted beds attractive as the loose soil makes for easy excavation.
Damage Beyond Consumption: Digging and Sampling
While actual consumption is a major issue, squirrels often cause significant damage through behaviors unrelated to a full meal. This includes “sampling,” where the animal takes only one or two bites out of several pieces of produce and then leaves the rest. This behavior is believed to be driven by curiosity, testing for ripeness, or simply an attempt to gain quick hydration, rendering the remaining produce inedible for humans.
Squirrels are prolific hoarders, and their digging habits wreak havoc on garden beds. They create numerous shallow holes in search of a place to bury nuts or retrieve previously cached food. This constant rummaging disturbs the soil structure, uproots small seedlings, and can sever the roots of established plants.
Because their incisor teeth grow continuously, squirrels gnaw on various materials to keep them worn down. This can result in the destruction of garden infrastructure, such as chewing on plastic irrigation lines, wooden stakes, or the rims of containers.
Effective Strategies for Humane Deterrence
The most effective method for protecting a garden involves the use of physical barriers that prevent access without harming the animal. Caging and netting are highly recommended for raised beds, particularly when using materials like hardware cloth with a small mesh size. For maximum protection, the barrier must be fully enclosed, including the top, and extended a few inches below the soil line, often with an L-shaped footer, to deter digging underneath.
Beyond physical exclusion, cultural practices can help make the garden less attractive. Removing any fallen fruit or nuts eliminates easy food sources that might lure squirrels. Ensuring that bird feeders are squirrel-proofed and that sources of standing water are unavailable can also encourage them to forage elsewhere.
Repellents offer a secondary line of defense, often relying on scents or tastes squirrels find unpleasant. Sprays containing capsaicin, the compound that gives chili peppers their heat, can be applied to foliage to deter consumption without harming the plants. Other scent-based deterrents include mint oil, garlic, and commercially available products containing predator urine. These liquid-based repellents require frequent reapplication, especially after rain or irrigation, to maintain effectiveness.