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Squirrels

Keep Squirrels Out of Potted Plants: A Comprehensive Guide

by Gregory November 27, 2024

written by Gregory 4 minutes read

How to Keep Squirrels Out of Potted Plants

Squirrels are sneaky little creatures that love to dig in flowerpots. They’re looking for a place to bury their food, and the soft potting soil in your containers is the perfect spot. But don’t worry, there are plenty of things you can do to keep squirrels out of your potted plants.

Why Do Squirrels Dig in Flowerpots?

Squirrels dig in flowerpots to bury their food, such as acorns and nuts. Potting soil is soft and easy for them to dig in, making it the perfect spot to hide their treasure trove.

Protecting Potted Plants from Squirrels

Keeping squirrels out of potted plants is a matter of trial and error, but the following suggestions are worth a try:

Add Something to the Potting Soil That Squirrels Find Distasteful

Squirrels don’t like the smell of cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper, vinegar, peppermint oil, or garlic. You can mix one or more of these ingredients into the potting soil to deter squirrels.

Create a Homemade Squirrel Repellent

To make a homemade squirrel repellent, combine 2 tablespoons of black pepper, 2 tablespoons of cayenne pepper, one chopped onion, and one chopped jalapeno pepper in a pot. Boil the mixture for 15 to 20 minutes, then strain it through a fine strainer or cheesecloth. Pour the strained mixture into a spray bottle and use it to spray the soil around your potted plants.

Add Dried Blood to the Potting Mix

Dried blood is a high-nitrogen fertilizer that squirrels don’t like the smell of. Be careful not to apply too much, as it can burn your plants.

Cover the Soil with Rocks or Mulch

A layer of rocks or mulch on top of the potting soil can discourage squirrels from digging. However, rocks can get hot in the summer and damage plants, so mulch is a better option.

Hang Shiny Objects Near Your Plants

Squirrels are afraid of shiny objects. You can hang colorful pinwheels or spinners, old CDs, or aluminum pie pans near your potted plants to scare them away.

Cover Potted Plants with a Cage

If you don’t like the idea of surrounding your plants with shiny objects, you can cover them with a cage made of chicken wire, plastic bird netting, or hardware cloth. This will keep squirrels out and protect your plants from their sharp claws.

Use Thorns to Deter Squirrels

If you have blackberry vines or wild roses growing nearby, you can cut a few stems and poke them into the soil around your potted plants. The thorns will deter squirrels from digging.

Additional Tips:

Squirrels are more likely to dig in potted plants during the offseason when they’re looking for a place to store their food. Be sure to take extra precautions during this time.
If you see a squirrel digging in your potted plants, don’t chase it away. This will only make it more likely to come back. Instead, try to scare it away with a loud noise or a spray of water.
Be patient. It may take some time to find a method that works for you. But don’t give up, and eventually you’ll be able to keep squirrels out of your potted plants for good.

Fruit and Vegetable Gardening

Protect Your Tomatoes from Squirrels: A Comprehensive Guide

by Gregory May 18, 2024

written by Gregory 3 minutes read

Squirrels Eating Tomatoes: A Guide to Prevention and Protection

Introduction

Squirrels are cute and playful creatures, but they can be a real nuisance when they start munching on your precious tomatoes. If you’ve ever lost a juicy tomato to a squirrel attack, you know how frustrating it can be. But don’t worry, there are many things you can do to protect your tomato plants from these furry raiders.

Signs of Squirrel Damage

The first step in protecting your tomatoes is to identify the signs of squirrel damage. Here are a few things to look for:

Medium to large holes chewed into the side of a tomato
Tomatoes with multiple bites taken out of them
Small holes in your garden or nearby containers
Damage to other plants, such as flowers or leaves

How to Protect Your Tomato Plants from Squirrels

Now that you know how to identify squirrel damage, let’s talk about how to protect your tomato plants. Here are a few effective methods:

Build Cages: Enclosing your tomato plants in cages is one of the most effective ways to keep squirrels away. You can build cages around individual plants or around a whole bed. Make sure the cages are tall enough and have a roof to prevent squirrels from jumping in.
Use Repellents: Repellent sprays, such as those made with chili peppers, can help keep squirrels off your tomatoes. You can choose a commercially available spray or make your own at home.
Get a Cat or Dog: Outdoor cats and dogs are natural predators of squirrels. If you have a fenced yard, getting a cat or dog can be a great way to keep squirrels out of your garden.
Scare Tactics: Scare tactics, such as noisemaking devices, pinwheels, and wind chimes, can also be effective in deterring squirrels. However, it’s important to note that squirrels may eventually get used to these devices, so you may need to switch them up regularly.
Attract Birds of Prey: Birds of prey, such as hawks and owls, are natural predators of squirrels. Consider providing them with perches and nesting places to encourage them to visit your garden.

Other Options for Keeping Squirrels Out of Gardens

In addition to the methods listed above, here are a few other things you can do to keep squirrels out of your garden:

Provide a Water Source: Squirrels seek out juicy produce to obtain water as well as food. Some gardeners have found success by placing a container of water or even a birdbath on the other side of the yard to draw squirrels away from the garden.
Cover Bare Soil: Squirrels are attracted to bare soil, where they look for edible roots, nuts, and seeds. Keeping bare soil covered with plants or mulch will prevent them from being attracted to the area.
Pick Tomatoes Early: If you’re worried about squirrels getting to your tomatoes, you can try picking them when they are not quite ripe. Cut off a piece of the vine with tomatoes attached, and let them continue ripening on your countertop.

Conclusion

Protecting tomatoes from squirrels can be a challenge, but it’s definitely possible. By following the tips in this article, you can keep your tomato plants safe and enjoy a bountiful harvest.

Wildlife Gardening

Wildlife Identification Guide for Your Garden: Discover the Creatures in Your Backyard

by Gregory November 13, 2021

written by Gregory 3 minutes read

Wildlife Identification: A Guide to Discovering the Creatures in Your Backyard

Introduction

Do you ever wonder what kind of wildlife is visiting your garden? With a little bit of knowledge, you can easily identify the different species that share your space.

Garden Birds

Our gardens are often visited by a variety of birds. Here are a few common species to look out for:

Robin: A small, round bird with a bright red breast.
Blackbird: A larger bird with black feathers and a yellow beak.
Blue tit: A tiny bird with a blue head and yellow belly.
Great tit: A larger tit with a black head and white cheeks.
Sparrow: A small, brown bird with a distinctive chirp.

Amphibians and Reptiles

Amphibians, such as frogs and newts, and reptiles, such as lizards and snakes, can also be found in gardens. Here are a few examples:

Common frog: A green frog with brown spots.
Toad: A larger frog with a warty skin.
Newt: A small, aquatic salamander.
Grass snake: A non-venomous snake with green and black stripes.
Common lizard: A small, brown lizard with a long tail.

Insects

Insects are the most diverse group of animals on Earth, and many of them can be found in gardens. Here are a few common types:

Butterflies: Beautiful insects with colorful wings.
Moths: Nocturnal insects that are often mistaken for butterflies.
Bees: Important pollinators that come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Wasps: Beneficial insects that can also be a nuisance.
Beetles: Insects with hard wing cases that come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
Dragonflies and damselflies: Fast-flying insects with long, slender bodies.
Ladybirds: Beneficial insects that come in a variety of colors and patterns.

Other Wildlife

In addition to the above groups, there are many other types of wildlife that can be found in gardens, including:

Hedgehogs: Small, spiny mammals that are active at night.
Squirrels: Agile rodents with bushy tails.
Bats: Nocturnal mammals that use echolocation to navigate.

How to Identify Wildlife

There are a few key things to look for when identifying wildlife:

Size: How big is the animal?
Shape: What is the overall shape of the animal?
Color: What color is the animal?
Markings: Does the animal have any distinctive markings, such as stripes or spots?
Behavior: How does the animal behave?

Conclusion

With a little bit of practice, you can easily identify the different types of wildlife that visit your garden. This can help you appreciate the diversity of nature and learn more about the creatures that share our planet.