Squirrel-Proofing Your Trees, Shurbs, and Garden

They’re cute and cuddly, but squirrels can also cause a lot of damage in your yard since they have a penchant for flowers, fruits, shrubs, trees, and most things in your garden. That’s why you must know how to keep squirrels away from garden plants and bird feeders.

So, how do you squirrel-proof your garden? Before we look into the answer, let’s briefly look at why you must squirrel-proof your garden.

3 Good Reasons to Keep Squirrels Out of Your Garden

Despite being small and cute, you must be careful about letting squirrels play freely in your garden. A few reasons for this include:

Damage to Plants

From small plant bulbs to tree bark, squirrels can cause a lot of damage to your plants. Besides gnawing on the plants, squirrels can also dig up the soil around your plants.

Stealing Bird Feed

Like birds, squirrels love birdseed, and they’ll gladly help themselves to the seed you purchase for the birds you feed in your garden.

Property Damage

Besides gnawing on plants, squirrels can also chew through your house’s structure and even bite through electrical wires. Squirrel damage can not only be costly but hazardous.

So, yes. Squirrels are not only a nuisance but can be a danger to your property and life as well. That’s why you must know how to keep squirrels away from your garden. Without further ado, let’s dive into the ways you can do just that.

Yard Maintenance and General Squirrel Prevention

It may sound simple, but keeping your yard clean is one of the first steps to keep squirrels out of your garden. Sweep and rake away leaves and get rid of any debris that may clutter your yard.

On the same note, if you have a bird feeder in your garden, it’s a major squirrel magnet. Squirrels will come for the birdseed that falls from the feeder. To deter the squirrels, use a less palatable bird feed like safflower seeds. You can also use birdseed treated with pepper. Finally, if you have pets, you must also remove any leftover food that can attract squirrels.

Put Up Fencing, Netting, and Covers

An excellent way of keeping squirrels away from your garden plants is to use physical barriers. Examples include:

• Fencing. Get a fence with small holes, such as chicken wire. Make sure to bury the fence at least one foot into the ground.
• Netting. Investing in a chew-proof net is also an excellent way of keeping squirrels out of your garden. Put it over your plants, just as you would bird netting.
• Row covering. Row covers are an excellent option if you’ve got small fruit and vegetable plants growing in your garden.

Physical barriers are one of the best ways of protecting your fruits and vegetables from squirrels. However, they may detract from the beautiful garden you had in mind.

Make Sure Trash Can Lids Are Closed

Like most rodents, squirrels are opportunistic animals. They frequent places where there are high chances of getting an easy meal. Trash cans provide just that opportunity. To reduce squirrels in your garden, make sure all trash cans are properly closed so that squirrels can’t forage for food in them.

Apply Squirrel Repellents

Spraying squirrel repellents is another great way of keeping squirrels at bay. Made from things like predator urine and cayenne pepper, these give off an unpleasant smell. One downside to squirrel repellent is that you’ll have to bear with a garden that smells like urine. Another disadvantage of squirrel repellent is that you must make sure to reapply it regularly.

An alternative to squirrel repellents would be growing flowers that repel squirrels. Examples of these include nasturtiums, marigolds, and mustard. Their strong aroma will repel squirrels.

Use Squirrel Deterrents

Another way of keeping squirrels out of your garden is to use squirrel deterrents. A squirrel deterrent is any object that’s frightening to squirrels, thereby keeping them at bay. Examples include rubber snakes, resin owls, ultrasonic noisemakers, or even motion-sensitive sprinklers. Squirrels don’t like movements and loud noises. Simulating these in your garden is an excellent way of deterring them from frequenting your garden.

If All Else Fails, Call an Expert

While you can do everything in your power to prevent squirrels from coming into your garden, at times you may need an expert to help you win the battle. You must enlist the help of a squirrel removal service.

If you’re having a tough time with squirrels in your garden, give us a call at (310) 551-0901. We’ll be glad to help you get relief from your unwelcome visitors.