I'm dealing with a serious squirrel invasion in my garden! They keep getting past all the "squirrel-proof" setups I've tried and have started digging up my bulbs and munching on my tomatoes. I'm on the hunt for effective squirrel repellents—sprays, granules, or deterrent devices that really work in the long run. Has anyone had success with any squirrel repellent products? I need something that's safe for my garden but powerful enough to keep these persistent little pests at bay. Budget isn't too much of an issue if it means reclaiming my garden space!
5 Answers
I've had good luck with the "Squirrel Buster" bird feeders from Brome; they're weight-triggered so if a squirrel jumps on, the perch closes up on them. Also, I tried this spray called PlantSkydd. It mainly targets deer and rabbits, but it seemed to keep the squirrels at bay as well—just beware, the smell is pretty bad! I haven't tested it on my bulb area yet, but it worked wonders on my plants.
A dog can help, but I had two and they weren't much good against squirrels. But I've also noticed this season, without a dog, the squirrels have vanished from my yard! Must be a happy coincidence or something.
I tried dumping cayenne pepper mixed with water on things squirrels chew on. It’s an organic option, and while it might not be a miracle cure, it does help deter them a bit! Just don’t apply it too close to your other plants.
Honestly, I've been dealing with them by just getting rid of the problem directly. They can be super destructive—chewing on wires and even damaging my car. A .22 rifle worked for me. Once you take a few out, the rest get the message and skedaddle!
Physical barriers are your best bet! For my bulbs, I cover them with hardware cloth or chicken wire, which works miracles. Also, I’ve buried plastic forks with the tines up, and that gives them a real scare. It definitely slows them down!
What kind of physical barriers have worked for you against those pesky squirrels?
That's interesting! Maybe they figured out there were no dogs around anymore and got bold!