Gardeners often use vibrant, strongly scented flowers like marigolds (genus Tagetes) to enhance their yards and deter pests. Despite the plant’s reputation as a natural barrier, the presence of squirrels frequently leads to frustration and damaged flower beds. This raises the question of whether squirrels are eating the marigolds or simply causing trouble by other means.
Are Marigolds a Preferred Food Source?
Squirrels generally do not consume marigolds, as the plant’s natural chemical composition acts as a significant deterrent. The foliage and flowers contain a pungent scent and a noticeably bitter taste that makes them unpalatable to most small mammals. This characteristic odor and flavor profile is why marigolds are often recommended as companion plants to protect more desirable flowers or vegetables.
The strong aroma is unpleasant to the sensitive olfactory systems of squirrels, causing them to avoid the marigolds as a potential food source. Marigolds are also resistant to damage from deer and rabbits. While a squirrel might take an exploratory nibble, they rarely eat enough of the plant to cause significant damage or return for a second meal.
Why Squirrels Still Cause Garden Damage
The damage observed near marigolds is typically a result of behaviors unrelated to the squirrel’s diet. Squirrels are constantly engaged in caching, which involves burying nuts, seeds, and other foraged items for later retrieval. They use soft, loose soil, such as that found in garden beds, planters, and around newly planted flowers, as convenient storage sites.
This behavior results in the common sight of small, shallow holes dug haphazardly around plants, including marigolds. Sometimes, a squirrel may clip a flower head or stem to clear a line of sight or to test the texture, mistaking the plant for an obstruction. The resulting destruction is a byproduct of their instinctual need to store food.
Practical Steps for Deterring Squirrel Activity
To prevent digging and caching, gardeners must focus on making the soil less accessible or less appealing to the rodents. One effective method involves creating a physical barrier by laying chicken wire or plastic mesh netting over the soil surface, securing the edges with stakes. The mesh should have openings large enough for the marigold stems to grow through but small enough to prevent digging.
Applying sensory irritants to the soil can also discourage their activity. Sprinkling cayenne pepper or chili flakes directly onto the top layer of soil is effective, as the capsaicin irritates the squirrel’s nasal passages and paws. Alternatively, commercial repellents utilize the scent of predator urine or strong essential oils, such as peppermint, which squirrels instinctively avoid. These topical treatments should be reapplied regularly, especially after heavy watering or rainfall, to maintain potency.