The presence of squirrels in a garden can quickly turn the joy of nurturing plants into a frustrating cycle of damage and loss. These highly adaptable, opportunistic foragers frequently dig up newly planted bulbs, consume ripening fruits and vegetables, and chew on young plant stems. Their habit of burying and retrieving food caches poses a consistent challenge to gardeners. Successfully protecting your plants requires a multi-faceted approach using physical barriers, sensory deterrents, and strategic gardening choices.
Physical Exclusion Methods
Physical barriers offer the most reliable form of protection by blocking a squirrel’s access to vulnerable plants. For garden beds and containers, sturdy hardware cloth is the best material. This galvanized or vinyl-coated wire mesh, ideally with a half-inch or quarter-inch mesh size, is too difficult for squirrels to chew through, unlike lighter plastic screening.
To safeguard bulbs or raised beds from digging, hardware cloth should be buried at least six to twelve inches deep and bent outward in an “L” shape to discourage tunneling. Fine-mesh netting can be draped over fruits, berries, or delicate plants, but it must be secured tightly to the ground on all sides. An unsecured net can easily be pushed aside, or the squirrel may become entangled.
Simple cages and cloches constructed from hardware cloth can be used to protect individual, high-value plants or seedlings. These structures are particularly effective for plants in containers or for temporary protection of newly planted areas. When designing a barrier, remember that squirrels are adept climbers and jumpers, so any enclosure must be fully secured and stable.
Taste and Scent Deterrents
Methods relying on taste and scent function by making a plant or its surrounding environment unappealing to the squirrel’s sensitive palate and nose. Many effective repellents utilize capsaicin, the compound that gives chili peppers their heat, because it irritates mammals but is generally not detected by birds. A simple homemade spray can be made by mixing water, a tablespoon of cayenne pepper or hot sauce, and a few drops of dish soap, then applying it directly to the foliage of non-edible plants.
For commercial options, look for products containing active ingredients such as capsaicin, Thiram, or putrescent egg solids, which create a foul taste or smell that signals danger. These repellents are classified as either contact repellents, applied directly to the plant, or area repellents, which deter through odor. Regardless of the type, all liquid or granular repellents require reapplication, especially after heavy rain or watering, to maintain their effectiveness.
Other sensory deterrents include motion-activated sprinklers, which deliver a harmless burst of water when an animal crosses their path. This sudden, startling effect deters squirrels from the protected area. Strong-smelling essential oils like peppermint can also be used; soaking cotton balls in the oil and placing them near vulnerable plants uses the squirrel’s strong sense of smell against it.
Adjusting Planting Strategy and Environment
Long-term protection can be achieved by modifying the garden environment and choosing plants that squirrels naturally avoid. Planting choices should favor species that contain compounds unpalatable or toxic to squirrels, such as daffodils, hyacinths, and alliums, including ornamental onions. Squirrels also tend to bypass plants with strong scents or fuzzy leaves, like members of the mint family.
When planting bulbs, you can incorporate a physical deterrent directly into the planting hole. Lining the hole with a thin layer of sharp, crushed stone, or a small piece of chicken wire just above the bulb, will discourage digging. Once the bulbs are covered with soil, applying a heavy layer of mulch like wood chips can help disguise the scent of the freshly disturbed ground.
Environmental adjustments also play a significant role in reducing squirrel activity. Keeping the ground under trees and bird feeders clean of spilled nuts and seeds removes a primary food source. Strategic placement of a distraction feeder containing corn or nuts far away from the main garden area may divert their attention from cultivated plants. Reducing ground clutter, such as piles of debris or firewood, removes potential nesting sites and makes the area less appealing for foraging.