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While they are way too cute and endearing sometimes , the fact is , squirrels can really do a number on your garden . As gardeners , we work hard to maintain and assure every chemical element that allows our plant life to thrive . Unfortunately , squirrel are responsible for a mass of havoc when it comes to rust your seeds and vegetable or just leaving a flock all around your tidy grow plots .
Coexisting with squirrels is an unsufferable effort , and your good line of action is to implement ways to keep them out of your garden completely . Squirrels are entertaining , but they are troublesome critter , simply because their evolutionary tendencies revolve around being natural foragers and belligerent ransackers . They care to heap all of their finding up for the wintertime in rules of order to endure the abrasive low temperature they will necessarily face .
So while yes , squirrel are very much a part of the constitutive atmosphere you are looking to preserve , there comes a level where you must also take activity in rescript to keep your plant , source , and vegetables safe .
Why Worry About Squirrels in the Garden?
Tree bark is one of a squirrel ’s favorite thing to jaw on . And while there are many species that can have damage to the tree diagram in your yard , squirrels are some of the most heinous wrongdoer . If you have fruit tree or have planted vegetables in your garden , they will be extremely attracted to the sugared offering of your plot . If your garden(s ) are a necessary constituent of your quotidian selection , squirrels can leave you with little to no intellectual nourishment for you and your class . And THAT is a serious job !
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squirrel will also dig up the incandescent lamp from your garden , entrust a hatful for you to strip up . Squirrels are also known to carry a number of disease and other pests like ticks and flea , that can do actual harm to your phratry and pets . If you allow squirrels to inhabit your garden , it is only a matter of time before you take on one . And while they are not usually pasty , they can become a nuisance very chop-chop . They can also commence entering into your house , especially during the cold months , and make a home and nursery out of your loft .
How to Identify Squirrel Damage in the Garden
Once you love the exact thing to look for , you will immediately be capable to bespeak out when a squirrel has been occupying your garden . One of the telltale signs of a squirrel being in your garden is the partially eaten bloom . When squirrel deplete come , plants , and veggies from your plots , you could notice the soil being toss around and flattened spaces where they did their deeds . But the part wipe out heyday will alarm you for certain that squirrels were in the neighbourhood .
Squirrels will also do what ’s called “ container digging ” , where they will dig deep into your bloom beds and plant pots in an attempt to hide their lately obtained findings . To make matters worse , sometimes they will pull a plant out from the roots completely , just to find a “ secure ” seat to hide a few nuts . Be on the watch for half - eaten seed head , overleap plant , and the occasional bite marks as well .
6 Ways to Keep Squirrels Out of Your Garden
1. Use Chicken Wire
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If you do n’t listen possess a few squirrels roaming your garden , but you desire to keep them out of specific areas , then a chicken wire will be your skillful wager . you may always attempt to install a cover or a John Milton Cage Jr. around specific prime bed and make certain that your effort are soundly reach . If this method is something you ’d like to try , there are a few different options to choose from . There is plastic netting , summertime weight row covers , and hardware cloth as well . And if you need to sum up another layer of protection , debate topping any of your chicken wire contraptions with plastic bird clear as well .
2. Remove Things
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One of the first steps you should consider when trying to keep squirrels out of your garden is to take unneeded things out and leave them with less to tamper with . If you find that squirrels are draw in to a certain bird feeder or urine fountain , then it may be a expert idea to hive away it or place it elsewhere . squirrel will also be attracted to fall nuts and fruits on your garden storey . If you’re able to dispose of any remnants that the squirrels will be interested in , it is best to do so . exchangeable things like trash tush and recycling bin can be a perfect target for squirrel to sieve through . So make trusted to keep any lids on wet and stack away them away from any heavily populated country .
3. Repel Them
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There are a few DIY tricks you’re able to use to discourage the squirrel totally . point such as spicy peppers ( cayenne pepper or chili peppers ) , java grounds , peppermint vegetable oil , orchard apple tree cider acetum , or even a combining of them all , can plough your desirable garden into Hades itself for an inquiring squirrel . A professional tip is to verify that you are reapplying your method acting after any amount of rainfall . Lastly , please do not spray your eatable plants with any resolution you mixed into a feeding bottle . You may be in for quite the surprise if you dowse your vegetables or yield with live pepper water .
4. Distract Them
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Another adjudicate and reliable method acting to keep squirrels out of your garden is to set up stations outside of your garden that they can visit rather . For example , purchasing / building a decoy squirrel station that holds a bunch of sunflower seed is a great way to help oneself yourself and the squirrel . Setting up a few different stations away from your garden is key , but for the true animal lovers , you may reckon planting a small garden near these stations as well , just so the squirrel can continue to exercise their innate abilities so as to work for their sustenance .
5. Get a Pet
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With all that gardening you ’ll be doing , who has the time to come up with advanced manoeuvre to combat squirrel ? The answer ? A dog ! While there are some breeds that will act lackluster around a squirrel or two , dogs are infamous for chasing squirrels out of their designated area and back up the tree . Dogs are typically the giving that keeps yield . So while getting a bounder should not only be for chasing squirrel out of the pace , to each their own how they stand for on civilize their four - legged friend .
6. Cover Your Soil
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If you have come to find that your main and biggest issue is that the squirrels keep digging into your flower beds , then it might be time to cover your soil with mulch . While mulch is also a great way to disembarrass your garden of weeds , squirrels will also be uninterested in digging through the layers to discover your impudently embed seeds or bulbs .
In Summary
The relationship between you and the squirrels should be a friendly relationship / business case of family relationship , nothing personal . Yes , they are furred friends who you could just hug into a coma , but when it make out to the line of work of your garden , you have to draw the logical argument somewhere . Whether you build cages around your beds , or simply deter them with a preferent or food for thought station , you have to do something . We know the cuteness endure off once you get your first plant life bed in shambles , but before you even reach that full point , squirrel proof your garden is the style to go .
