I love putting my plants outside during the summer, but I've had a real nightmare with squirrels in the past. Two or three years ago, they completely destroyed my collection, and I've been hesitant to put my plants out ever since. They seem less happy and even sadder during winter because of it. I'm wondering if anyone has any clever solutions to keep squirrels away from my plants. I've tried various methods, like using sprays (fox urine, pepper, soap) and even setting out decoy pots, but those little guys keep digging. I even attempted to use metal bars, but one squirrel got its head stuck, and that was a disaster. They've even nibbled on the poisonous plants! What can I do?
3 Answers
I completely understand your frustration! I had a similar squirrel issue. What worked for me was covering the soil in my pots with golf ball-sized rocks. It made it hard for them to dig around, and it solved my problem completely. Definitely worth a try!
If you’re struggling with chipmunks or other critters, bird spikes worked wonders for me. They keep my pesky cats away, too, when I bring my plants inside for winter. It's a neat trick if you're dealing with multiple types of pests!
Wow, it sounds like you have quite the squirrel army! I've never had trouble with them directly, but I know people who have had success using cayenne pepper. They sprinkle it heavily on their tomatoes and around the base of the plants. Just make sure it’s not too risky with the plants you want to bring indoors later. You could also try placing toothpicks or skewers in the soil pointed upwards; it creates a natural barrier that might keep them away without harming the plants.
That’s a great tip about cayenne! I think I’ll give it a shot. I also love the idea of the skewers—simple and effective! Thanks for the suggestions!