How to keep squirrels out of the garden
Squirrels are a great nuisance, here’s how to keep squirrels out of your garden and stop them from returning in the future.
Squirrels eat everything from bird seeds, to nuts, ripe fruit, flowers, tree buds, bark, and lots more. They are also known for digging holes in garden soil and planting pots to either bury their stash or look for more food. They are especially a great nuisance during the planning season and will swing into full force when they start looking to create food stashes for winter. Although we love watching squirrels, the potential extensive damage they can do to your garden is something you want to avoid at all costs. This is why you must look for ways to keep squirrels out of the garden.
Identify that you have squirrels in your garden
Squirrels are not the only animals that can cause a lot of damage to your garden. Therefore, you want to be sure you are dealing with squirrels. The best way to know is to find the actual squirrels scampering about. But you can also look for other signs such as half-eaten (or missing) flowers and fruits, missing plants, small holes in planting pots and beds, and munched-on seed-heads. Once you find these signs, it’s time to swing into action to stop them from having their way with your garden.
Get rid of food sources
Squirrels love foraging, which is why you want to discourage them by eliminating food sources. Ensure to pick up fallen seeds, fruits, and nuts as fast as possible. If you have your trash can outdoors, secure it tightly and bury food scraps deeply into compost piles.
Scare them away
You can also scare them off by using motion-activated noisemakers such as aluminum pie tins, pinwheels, and garden spinners. It’s also possible to add a motion-detecting sprinkler as well.
Use mulch around your garden
Squirrels are obsessed with digging. But you can stop them and protect seedlings by covering the soil around your plants with a layer of mulch.
Use barriers for vulnerable plants
To protect young shoots and buds, also consider installing physical barriers such as chicken wire, or plastic netting.
Feed birds with better strategies
Keep your feeders far from jump-off positions such as walls and trees. You should also consider using a bird feeder with a weight-sensitive bar that would allow birds to get to the food but keep squirrels out. You can equally consider switching feeds by using safflower seeds instead of sunflower seeds that squirrels love.
Invest in squirrel repellent
Squirrels have a sensitive sense of taste and smell. This is why you can repel them quickly using a squirrel repellent. However, you want to stick to a formula that provides robust and long-lasting protection and is especially ideal for large areas.
Nature’s MACE Squirrel MACE repellent is an ideal formula designed to repel squirrels from your garden without harming or killing them. You will also love that Nature’s MACE comes in ready-to-use liquid spray and concentrate variants, safe for use around pets and children. You will love that Nature’s MACE squirrel MACE repellent repels squirrels, raccoons, and chipmunks from your garden, flowers, lawns, bird feeders, and lots more.
