The sight of a freshly dug hole in a garden bed signals that a squirrel has been at work. These rodents cause significant damage by unearthing newly planted bulbs, disturbing seeds, and creating unsightly divots in the soil. Fortunately, several practical and humane strategies exist to protect plants and deter squirrels from digging. Understanding their motivations is the first step toward implementing effective prevention methods.
Why Squirrels Dig in Gardens
Squirrels dig in gardens primarily for two instinctual reasons: storing food and searching for sustenance. The most common cause is cache burying, where they stash nuts, acorns, and seeds for later retrieval, especially before colder months. These food storage holes, or “caches,” are typically small, shallow depressions, often only one or two inches deep.
The rodents also dig for foraging purposes, either to unearth a previously buried cache or to find other edible items. They are omnivores, and their diet includes insects, grubs, and buried flower bulbs, which they locate using their keen sense of smell. During drought, squirrels may also dig into moist soil or chew on juicy vegetables to find a source of water.
Implementing Physical Barriers
Physical exclusion is often the most reliable method for preventing squirrel damage, as it directly blocks access to the soil. To protect newly planted seeds or young seedlings, lay chicken wire or hardware cloth directly over the garden bed. Secure this mesh firmly to the ground with landscape stakes to eliminate entry points, while still allowing water and sunlight to pass through.
To safeguard perennial bulbs, plant them within a protective wire basket or line the planting hole with hardware cloth before backfilling the soil. This creates an underground cage that prevents squirrels from digging up the bulbs. For container gardens, cover the potting mix surface with decorative stones or a plastic “cat scat mat,” which makes the soil uncomfortable to walk on.
If fencing a garden area, the barrier must be buried at least six to eight inches underground. This subterranean portion should be bent outward at a 90-degree angle to prevent squirrels from tunneling beneath the perimeter.
Using Scent and Taste Deterrents
Scent and taste deterrents capitalize on the squirrel’s powerful sense of smell and aversion to certain flavors. Products containing capsaicin, the compound that gives chili peppers heat, are effective taste deterrents. Sprinkling cayenne pepper or chili powder onto the soil or mixing it into a spray can discourage squirrels without harming them. This method is useful because birds are unaffected by capsaicin, allowing its use in bird feeders to deter seed theft.
Strong odors also serve as temporary deterrents, though their efficacy is often short-lived. Squirrels tend to avoid the smell of peppermint oil, garlic, or white vinegar, which can be sprayed or applied to cotton balls near plants. Commercial repellents often use botanical oils or blood meal, mimicking the scent of a predator to prompt avoidance. These non-physical methods require consistent reapplication after rain or watering to maintain effectiveness.
Reducing Garden Attractiveness
Long-term success depends on modifying the environment to make it less appealing to the rodents. Removing easily accessible food sources is the first step, which includes diligently raking up fallen nuts, seeds, and fruit from beneath trees. Unsecured trash cans and pet food left outside are strong attractants and should be secured or stored indoors.
Bird feeders are a common source of spilled seed that draws squirrels into the garden area. Temporarily removing feeders or switching to a capsaicin-treated birdseed mix can significantly reduce squirrel traffic. Providing a designated, shallow water source like a birdbath may also divert squirrels foraging for moisture away from soft vegetables.