Simply poke holes through the foil for each plant, seed, or bulb.Ĭhicken wire can be fashioned into domes or cages around susceptible plants, either individual plants or entire rows. Lay the mesh flat over soil and then cover it with more soil or an unfriendly-to-squirrels mulch, such as gravel or pebbles.Īlong the same lines, aluminum foil can be placed on top of the potting soil in potted plants. Your local hardware store likely carries hardware cloth, which is a mesh cloth sold in rolls and an effective method to protect potted plants, individual plants, or sections of the garden where squirrels have been digging. Create Physical Barriers Hardware cloth, which is a mesh cloth sold in rolls and an effective method to protect potted plants or sections of the garden where squirrels have been digging. Squirrels and deer steer clear as they don’t like the scent. GarlicĪ Farmers’ Almanac trick says to grate Irish Spring soap and sprinkle it around your garden plants. A word of caution about essential oils: Keep away from pets and children. Many commercially sold deterrents use these essential oils in their formulas so if you go this route, simply spray around the garden hardscapes (not on plants directly). Simply soak cotton balls in the essential oils and place them in shallow trays (such as jar lids or saucers) around the garden or directly in planters. Essential OilsĮssential oils in scents squirrels dislike-peppermint, geranium, clove-are also effective deterrents. Do not apply hot pepper spray if it is windy. Most everyone has hot chili peppers in the pantry, but if not, they are readily available in the spice aisle at any grocery store.Ī word of caution about hot pepper solutions: wear protective gear, such as gloves and eye protection, while preparing and applying solutions, and do not touch your eyes or rub your skin without washing thoroughly. (The solution shouldn’t affect it but it’s always a good idea to test.) Foliar sprays are best applied in the early morning or early evening to avoid as much contact with beneficial insects as possible. First, spritz the solution on a single leaf to test how it affects the plant. Mix a small bottle of Tabasco, a gallon of water, and a few drops of dishwashing liquid, which helps the hot sauce cling to the foliage, and use a garden sprayer or a standard spray bottle. You can also sprinkle cayenne pepper directly on plant leaves.Ī foliar spray is another option. Sprinkle the flakes around the soil of plants that need to be protected, including potted plants. The capsaicin (the “heat” in the pepper) is the deterrent, both in smell and taste. One of the easiest natural methods is to apply hot pepper to your plants. Squirrel-Proofing Methods Hot Chili Pepper With that in mind, here are some squirrel proofing methods to try. For strategizing, it helps to know a few truths about squirrels in advance: they dislike strong scents, have jumpy dispositions, and fear not having an escape route.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |