Red squirrels, while charming, can quickly become a nuisance as they seek food and shelter within a cultivated space. They cause damage by digging up flower bulbs, consuming ripening fruits and nuts, and raiding bird feeders. They also occasionally gnaw on plastic items like hosepipes and garden netting, driven by their continuously growing incisor teeth. Managing a garden’s appeal requires a persistent, multi-layered approach focusing on non-lethal exclusion and deterrence.
Eliminating Food and Water Sources
The first step in discouraging red squirrels is removing the primary food attractions that draw them into the garden. Bird feeders are a major source of accessible calories, especially those containing sunflower seeds. A simple fix involves switching the seed mix to options like safflower, which is less appealing to squirrels but still enjoyed by many bird species.
Feeder poles should be equipped with a specialized baffle, a cone or dome-shaped barrier that prevents squirrels from climbing up from the ground. Maintaining a tidy garden is also important; ripe produce must be harvested promptly, and fallen fruits and nuts should be cleared. Securing trash cans with locking lids prevents foraging in waste. Providing a designated, shallow dish of water away from garden beds may reduce their need to chew on juicy plants for hydration.
Physical Barriers and Exclusion Techniques
Physical barriers offer the most reliable method for protecting specific, high-value garden items from red squirrel activity. For newly planted flower bulbs, which squirrels often dig up for consumption or to cache other food, install a layer of wire mesh or hardware cloth. This material should be placed a few inches beneath the soil surface, allowing shoots to grow through while blocking access to the bulb.
Netting is an effective temporary solution for safeguarding ripening fruit bushes or vegetable patches from foraging. When using netting, it must be properly secured and pulled taut over a frame to prevent squirrels from becoming entangled, which is a safety hazard.
Sensory Deterrents and Repellents
Harnessing a red squirrel’s strong sense of smell and taste offers an additional line of defense to make the garden uninviting. Repellents often utilize capsaicin, the compound that gives chili peppers their heat, which creates a taste aversion without causing harm. Capsaicin can be applied as a spray on non-edible plants or mixed into birdseed, as birds are unaffected.
Strong aromatic substances also act as effective deterrents, as squirrels avoid areas with overwhelming odors. Applying peppermint oil, garlic, or a vinegar solution to the perimeter of garden beds or to wood surfaces can discourage them from entering the area. Since these liquid and granular repellents quickly lose potency after rain or watering, reapplication is necessary every few days to maintain effectiveness. A motion-activated sprinkler system provides a harmless, startling deterrent by delivering a sudden burst of water when an animal crosses its sensor field.
Legal Status and Humane Removal Options
The legal status of red squirrels is a consideration before attempting any removal, as they are a protected species in many regions, particularly across Europe and the United Kingdom. In the UK, the native red squirrel and its nest, known as a drey, are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. This means that it is an offense to intentionally kill, injure, or disturb them, or to damage their shelter.
In parts of North America where red squirrels are not protected, trapping may be an option, but it must be done with humane, live-catch traps. Anyone considering trapping or relocation must first consult local wildlife authorities to understand specific laws and regulations regarding permitted release distances and locations. The best practice remains focusing entirely on exclusion and non-lethal deterrence methods.