Defend Your Garden Paradise: How to Stop Squirrels from Digging Up Your Yard

Paul West/ Pet And Wildlife Care

I’ll bet you’ve gone into your garden more than once and noticed holes everywhere – as if a small animal has been digging up the place? Chances are that it’s not moles but rather squirrels.

They may be cute and cuddly looking, but these furry little critters can cause havoc in gardens of all sizes. Don’t worry though – there is hope! In this study, we’ll discuss some effective ways to stop those pesky squirrels from digging up your garden once and for all.

Are you tired of constantly seeing new holes pop up every week? Are you sick of trying to figure out what on earth could have dug them up? Well, if you’re finding piles of soil scattered around then it’s likely that squirrels have invaded your outdoor space. While they might look harmless enough, their constant digging can really take its toll on both plants and flowers alike.

You don’t need to put up with unwanted visitors in your garden any longer – by following just a few simple steps, you can reclaim control of your backyard and keep away the furry beasts for good. Read on to learn exactly how to stop those havoc-causing horrors from ruining your beautiful plot of land!

Why Do Squirrels Dig Gardens?

It can be quite disheartening to go outside and see all of your hard gardening work destroyed but why do squirrels dig in the first place? Well, it turns out that there are many underlying causes for this common behaviour.

First off, let’s look at what drives them to dig. Squirrels need to find food sources such as nuts, insects or small animals like mice. To get these resources they may use their sharp claws and teeth to dig into the ground and uncover potential meals – including roots and bulbs. Some species of squirrels will bury seeds in the soil as part of their natural caching process which involves storing food away for future consumption. This activity is often accompanied by a lot of digging around the area too! Furthermore, squirrels may also be looking for places to hide from predators using dirt mounds created by their excavations. Sometimes, a nutrient-rich blood meal is used as a fertiliser in gardens – an attractive lure for scavenging critters looking to supplement their diet with an easy snack!

It’s important to recognize that although we don’t always understand why squirrels behave in certain ways, finding humane solutions to stop them from digging is key. Not only does it help protect our gardens but also keeps us on good terms with wildlife living around us.

Why Finding Humane Solutions To Stop The Digging Is Important

Finding humane solutions to stop squirrels from digging in the garden is important as it keeps both our furry friends and us safe. Nobody wants a wild animal to be hurt or killed when there are more peaceful ways of dealing with them. Here’s why finding humane ways is essential:

• Humane squirrel control prevents harm to animals.
• Physical barriers like fences can keep wildlife away while protecting plants and flowers.
• Wild animals will still have access to food sources since they won’t be harmed.

It’s crucial that we find methods of deterring these pests without causing them any distress. This way, everyone gets along better! After all, being able to get along peacefully with these little creatures is beneficial for us all – humans, squirrels and even your beloved garden!

So next let’s look into understanding their behaviour and what we can do about it.

Understanding Squirrel Behaviour

Squirrels are naturally curious and resourceful animals that can easily become nuisances when they find their way into your garden. If you want to co-exist with the squirrel population in your area, it’s important to understand why they dig around in gardens. The most common reason is they’re searching for food sources or creating a safe place to store them.

You may have noticed mounds of dirt on the surface of your garden, which likely means that there’s an underground den below where the squirrel could be storing its food supply. It’s up to us as homeowners to identify these behaviours so we can better protect our gardens from unwanted intruders. Taking preventative measures such as using mesh fencing or covering vulnerable areas will help reduce digging activity around the garden. That said, sometimes understanding what motivates squirrel behaviour is half the battle of keeping them away from our precious plants!

 

Food Search And Storage

Understanding squirrel behaviour is the first step to stopping them from digging in your garden. So, we’ll look at how food search and storage can help.

To keep those grey critters away, it’s important to understand that they are natural foragers who will go where their nose leads them – right into your veggie patch!

There are several solutions you can implement to make sure your plants remain safe. A squirrel-proof bird feeder or another wildlife feeder with metal mesh or plastic netting is an effective way to divert the attention of curious rodents away from your vegetables and flowers.

If you have fruit trees in the area, pick up any fallen fruit as soon as possible so that the smell won’t draw hungry animals in. By taking these steps and being vigilant about what’s growing on your property, you should be able to outsmart even the most determined furry forager!

Now let’s talk about another factor when trying to protect your garden: nesting habits.

Nest Building

Squirrels are clever critters, and they’ll try to nest in your garden if they can. To keep them away, you need a physical barrier like wire mesh or squirrel-proof fencing. Make sure it’s high enough that the pesky critters won’t be able to climb over it. If there are any gaps, use some chicken wire around the edges of the fence to seal up any holes and make it extra secure against those crafty creatures.

You also want to check for other weak spots – like trees with low-hanging branches near your yard. Trim back heavy foliage and remove anywhere where a squirrel might find shelter from predators and access your garden area easily. This will help reduce their chances of making themselves at home in your yard.

Identifying Squirrel Digging Patterns

It’s important to learn about the digging patterns of grey squirrels if you want to stop them from wreaking havoc in your garden. Knowing what to look for can be key in figuring out how to prevent further damage. To do that, here are a few things you should keep an eye out for:

• Look for mounds of freshly-dug soil near plants or trees, especially around vegetable gardens and fruit trees.
• Keep an eye on any suspicious activity such as holes being dug up close to fences or walls.
• Examine seedlings and saplings to see if they’ve been chewed off at the base – this is definitely a sign that something has been feasting in your garden.
• Check around flowerbeds and other areas where vegetation grows; squirrels tend to dig there too!
• Pay attention to whether or not bark is missing from tree trunks since it could indicate that a squirrel has gotten hold of it.

Once you know what signs to watch out for, it’ll be much easier to take steps towards preventing future destruction by those pesky critters.

Moving on, we’ll cover some general proactive prevention methods so your garden can stay safe and sound!

Prevention Methods

Squirrels can be tricky when it comes to digging in your garden but there are some ways you can take back control. One of the best methods is using a motion-activated sprinkler that will scare them away with a burst of water (more later).

Another popular solution is applying peppermint oil around the perimeter of the garden area, as squirrels don’t like strong smells and won’t come near something so pungent.

Another good repellent option is to use (funnily enough) natural repellents such as cayenne pepper. Dried blood meal sprinkled throughout your plants also works well since these materials contain tastes and odours they simply don’t care for.

All of these solutions can help keep those beasts out without resorting to traps or poison which could harm other animals.

Now let’s look at physical barriers that may stop their digging once and for all…

Physical Barriers

If you’re looking to keep the squirrels out of your garden, physical barriers are a great way to do it. Potted plants can be placed around the perimeter and act as a deterrent for intruding rodents. Plant cages with tight-fitting lids will also stop them from snacking on your hard work. These methods won’t necessarily get rid of existing squirrels in the area but they’ll help deter any new ones from entering your space.

Now that we’ve explored how physical barriers can protect your garden, let’s look at how erecting fences is another option for keeping unwanted visitors out.

Erecting Fences

Erecting fences is a great way to keep squirrels out of your garden. You can build a fence that’s high enough to deter them and also use it as an opportunity to add some decoration around your yard. If you’re looking for something more permanent, consider using metal fencing or chicken wire – both are effective at keeping those furry creatures away from your precious plants.

Ultrasonic devices and wildlife control services may be another option if you don’t want to install a physical barrier. These types of squirrel deterrents emit sound waves which make the animals feel uneasy so they stay away from your property. Be sure to research these solutions thoroughly before settling on one, though, since there have been mixed reviews about their effectiveness when dealing with small mammals like squirrels.

Using Netting Or Chicken Wire

Another way to keep the squirrels away from your garden is with netting or chicken wire as we’ve mentioned above. It’s a great coincidence that chickens and their eggs are also protected by this same material! Chicken wire comes in rolls of various widths and mesh sizes, making it easy to cover large areas quickly. The smaller mesh size works best for keeping out small animals such as moles and voles, while larger mesh can protect tulip bulbs planted near the surface.

Netting is an alternative option which often has the advantage of being more invisible than chicken wire. To use it in the garden, simply drape the netting over plants you want to protect or erect supports around them so they’re covered on all sides. This works especially well if you need protection against birds not just rodents. In either case, make sure to secure the edges securely so no critters manage to sneak inside! With these methods in place, your garden will be safe from hungry interlopers without sacrificing its beauty.

Plant Protection Using Cages Or Cloches

Protecting your plants from pesky squirrels can be a real challenge. One of the best ways to do this is by using cages or cloches, which provide an extra layer of protection for flower bulbs and other vulnerable plants. Here are some tips on how to use them:

• Place cages over new plantings directly after planting – this will help keep squirrels away before they have a chance to dig in.
• Make sure that the cages fit securely around the base of each plant so that no gaps remain uncovered.
• Use hot pepper or cayenne powder sprinkled around the outside edge of the cage as an added deterrent.

Cages and cloches give your garden an extra layer of defence against hungry critters looking for something tasty to munch on. They’re also great for protecting young seedlings and newly planted flowers, keeping them safe until their roots become established enough to fend off any potential attackers. Now all you have to do is sit back, relax, and watch your plants grow!

Natural Repellents – Using Scent To Deter And Planting Natural Deterrents

Putting a stop to pesky squirrels can be like trying to put a lid on an active volcano. However, by using natural deterrents such as scent-based repellents and planting certain types of plants in your garden bed or vegetable garden, you’ll have better luck at keeping those furry rodents away from your yard.

Try sprinkling strong-smelling items around the perimeter of your garden beds – something that smells unpleasant for the squirrels but isn’t toxic or dangerous for humans or pets. Chilli pepper flakes are great for this; they won’t harm anyone and the scent will keep them away. You could also try setting up a squirrel feeder far away from the garden bed. This way, they’ll come to eat there instead of in your veggie patch! Planting garlic and marigolds around the edge of your vegetable garden is another great idea when it comes to deterring these critters. The aroma created by these two powerful herbs often sends animals scurrying off in search of other places to explore – just not in your backyard!

Humane Deterrent Techniques

Now that we’ve looked at ways to deter squirrels from your garden with natural scents, let’s turn our attention to humane deterrent techniques. If you’re not into the idea of using a repellent, there are other options available to help protect your precious flower bed from those pesky critters.

Motion-Activated Sprinklers

A motion-activated sprinkler is an effective way to keep squirrels away without hurting them. When they come near the area, it will shoot water in their direction and scare them off. This type of device can be adjusted so that it only goes off when needed and won’t bother any other animals or people who pass by.

Ultrasonic Devices

An ultrasonic device emits sound waves which cannot be heard by humans but are easily detected by small animals like squirrels. These devices create a loud noise which will startle the animal whenever they approach the area, making it less desirable for them to stay around.

Visual Deterrents

Visual deterrents such as bright lights or even fake snakes can also help keep rodents out of your garden. The light may make them feel exposed and uncomfortable while the snake can give them the impression that something dangerous is lurking nearby. It’s important to remember though, these methods should only be used if all else fails; sometimes just showing up and shoo-ing off any invaders is enough!

These techniques should provide some relief from having your plants nibbled on or dug up by pesky critters looking for food sources in your garden. However, one thing to consider before going this route is providing alternative food sources such as squirrel feeders placed far away from your flower beds instead of trying to rely solely on deterrent strategies alone – this could help reduce conflicts between humans and wildlife in a much more sustainable way!

Alternative Food Sources

If you have a problem with squirrels digging in your garden, there are some things you can do.

One option is to provide alternative food sources for the squirrels to eat instead of raiding your vegetable patch. A great way to do this is by setting up bird feeders and/or squirrel feeders filled with tasty treats designed especially for them. This will give them something else to focus on and keep them away from your plant collection!

Squirrel Feeders

Squirrel feeders come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s easy to find one that fits your yard or balcony perfectly. Be sure to fill it regularly — they’ll keep coming back if they know they can count on getting a snack! You could also add some fun toys such as bells or spinning wheels to make their visits even more enjoyable. Just remember: safety first when dealing with wild animals like squirrels, so be sure not to take any unnecessary risks when trying out these strategies.

With the right setup, you can turn an annoying situation into an opportunity for wildlife viewing – plus get your garden off the menu!

Getting Professional Assistance

Sometimes it can feel like the war against your garden-invading squirrels is a hopeless one. You’ve tried everything, but still, they keep coming back! Well, if you want to finally win this battle and reclaim your yard then why not get some professional assistance?

• Hire a local animal control expert to help remove the pests from the area
• Call an exterminator to put down traps or use repellents
• Ask a landscaping company for advice on how to modify your lawn so that it discourages digging

Professional help can be expensive and time-consuming, but in the long run, it may be worth it. After all, these critters aren’t just pesky – they’re destructive too. If you don’t take action now, you could find yourself dealing with more than just holes in your garden. They could cause serious damage to structures as well as vegetation. Plus, their droppings carry diseases which are hazardous to both humans and pets alike.

So seek out experts who know exactly what needs to be done and when. With their experience and guidance, you’ll have those pesky squirrels off your property before you know it!

We’ve Covered It All

It’s important to remember that squirrels are just looking for a place to call home and the resources they need to survive. If you can understand how they think, then it’s easier to find humane solutions that will keep them away from your garden while still allowing them access to food and shelter.

There are lots of different ways to deter squirrels, including natural repellants like scent or planting deterrent plants, as well as motion-activated sprinklers, ultrasonic devices and visual deterrents. Providing alternative food sources such as squirrel feeders may also help encourage them away from your garden.

If all else fails and you continue to have problems with pesky critters digging up your garden, then don’t be scared to get professional assistance. They can provide specific advice tailored to your situation so you can make sure nothing gets damaged again!