How to prevent squirrels from entering your yard

Although they are cute, squirrels will swear at you if they eat every tomato or strawberry in your garden, or if they dig up and eat your flower bulbs. But let’s face it: No matter how hard you try to keep squirrels out of your garden, you really can’t keep squirrels out of your great outdoors.

Engaging with squirrels rather than fighting them is the most effective way to keep them out of your garden. “Tammy Hartung, an organic farmer and author of The Wildlife-Friendly Vegetable Gardener, advises trying to get along with squirrels—or whatever wildlife you encounter—if you’re at war with them, you’re likely to lose.” Try these professional tips for getting along with squirrels and other critters in your yard, while keeping your garden free of nibbles at all times.

Related: How to Get Rid of Squirrels

This 7 things to prevent squirrels from entering your yard

Pinpoint where the squirrel damage is happening

Watching squirrels eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, flower bulbs, and a variety of other foods can be frustrating.

As Hartung can attest, the most important thing is to stay alert. You may notice that squirrels aren’t devouring the garden as much as you think, but rather they’re burying seeds and nuts in the ground, which can damage produce if they dig around the roots.

Create a squirrel-friendly spot away from your prized plants

If you want to keep them away from your favorite plants, consider creating a squirrel- and bird-friendly area that will also attract them. Hartung suggests starting small sunflower stocks. “Giving them something useful, like planting sunflowers, keeps them occupied and away from the plants we don’t want. That’s the best thing.” Place them in a corner of the garden, preferably near a fence, as squirrels use the fence as a route.”
Additionally, Hartung suggests shrubs that bear fruit for squirrels to eat, such as rosehips, hawthorns, and currants.

The water supply shouldn’t be overlooked either, especially if you’ve had problems with squirrels feeding through your drip irrigation line. Because they are thirsty and can hear the drip tape or water running through the pipe, squirrels gnaw the system, “says she. “Putting out a glazed pottery saucer or some such, of fresh water, gives them a drinking place and they don’t bother damaging the drip system anymore.”

Harvest fruits and veggies promptly

While it’s true that squirrels and other wildlife occasionally eat green tomatoes, fruits and vegetables that are ripe or rotting in your garden attract more squirrels to your yard.

Roger Dickens, technical services manager at Terminix, argues that basic cleaning is the best course of action. “Ensure that all fruits and vegetables are harvested at appropriate intervals and remove rotten fruits and vegetables as soon as possible.”

Plant deterrent plants

Strong-scented plants have the ability to repel squirrels due to their strong sense of smell. Squirrels, for example, do not appreciate the smell of garlic or onions, as do scallions, daffodils or allium flowers; They also dislike mint plants, spicy pepper plants, and strong-scented flower perfumes. Squirrels can be deterred from entering the garden by placing them around plants that you want to protect.

“Plant vegetables you prefer to eat to deter squirrels,” adds Dickens. “That way, you’ll help prevent squirrel damage and benefit from harvesting the vegetables you prefer to eat.”

Use chicken wire to protect your plants

For this purpose, metal chicken wire makes an excellent barrier to help keep animals away from your plants. Hartung advises against using netting because it can trap and trap wildlife, including birds.

Sprinkle pepper flakes on the soil

Red or black pepper can be sprinkled liberally on the ground around plants you want to keep away from squash bugs and other pests. “Pepper traps work because critters get hot pepper or black pepper in their noses, on their paws and lick it off, and it doesn’t take them much longer to decide that’s not the best place to go.” Hartung explains. Re-spraying is required after periods of heavy rain or wind.

Try other squirrel-deterrent products

Many solutions on the market claim to be able to repel squirrels and other pests, but their effectiveness in doing so can vary. However, Hartung suggests a product called Plantskid, which is a granule or powder made from foul-smelling blood meal. “You don’t spray the plants themselves, you spray the ground around the plants as a barrier,” explained Hartung. When other methods don’t work, we often use it here. It is effective for squirrels, rabbits, bears, raccoons, deer and elk. It must be used once every six months.”

Additionally, you can keep them out of your garden using smart home gadgets like motion-activated sprinklers. Alternatively, consider these equally effective low-tech methods: pie pans and plastic wrap tape might have some short-term success, but should be removed and replaced to prevent the squirrels from becoming used to them,” Dickens says.

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