Chumasande MatiwaneWhile many may enjoy watching squirrels as they run around. They can be a serious garden problem, causing extensive damage and terrorising your bird feeders. If you are looking for ways to keep them out of your garden, here are some effective solutions to try.
Although they are not trying to wreck your garden, they are simply hunting for a nice snack. Understanding this helps you pick the right defences in protecting your garden.
Use squirrel-resistant flowers
Try switching to squirrel-resistant bulbs, such as alliums and fritillaries, which have bitter tastes and tough skins, making squirrels avoid them. Plant these squirrel-resistant flowers to make sure your flower bed stays intact. They bloom just as pretty, but without the squirrel drama. Mix the alliums with snowdrops or lily of the valley to add variety, as they are toxic or smelly, so squirrels pass.
Hide or clean away their food
When cleaning, be diligent about cleaning up fallen nuts, acorns and berries in and around your garden. Make the process faster and easier by making it a family activity. Instead of throwing the food sources away, you can opt to relocate them to an area where squirrels are welcome. Also, keeping your compost can lids securely closed can deter squirrels from your garden.
Allow natural predators
Get your dog to do the job. Most dogs love to chase squirrels. Put your dogs on squirrel patrol and let them scare the squirrels away. To take it to the extreme, you can use the squirrel’s natural predators to your advantage by attracting hawks and owls by placing raptor perches or owl nests nearby. It may not be the best option or highly recommended.
Use deterrents
Using spicy deterrents turns your flower beds into something squirrels want no part of. After planting, sprinkle pepper, cayenne pepper or black pepper on the soil. The burn from the pepper powder hits their noses like fire. You need to reapply whenever rain washes it away or every couple of weeks to stay strong. Using pepper spray amps it up even more, just whisk it with water and mist your flower bed. It is a good steal that won’t hurt your plants.
Image Credit: Unsplash
ALSO SEE: ENCOURAGING BENEFICIAL WILDLIFE TO THRIVE IN YOUR GARDEN
Feature Image: Unsplash
