Squirrels are fast-moving rodents that most people see darting around the yard or scurrying from tree branch to tree branch. They have long bushy tails and are generally black, grey, or rusty red.
Squirrels build their nests in trees and occasionally make their way into your home to dwell in the attic or beneath the eaves.
They are active throughout the day and can be a year-round pest because they do not hibernate in the winter. They’ll be around no matter what time of year it is.
The notion that squirrels are constantly pursuing nuts is incorrect, and you should not believe that nuts or seeds are the only things a squirrel looks for in your yard.
They eat a broad variety of foods, including fruit, vegetables, flowers, tubers, and, sometimes, bird eggs or insects.
In the fall, their conduct might be at its worst. They do not hibernate and require a constant source of food during the winter. This is the time of year when they are most in need of nuts because they need to store them.
This also implies that a lot of their digging isn’t for food, but rather for a decent hiding site for nuts they’ve previously discovered.
Which can lead them to look for hiding spots on your deck planters.
Because potting soil is soft and simple for squirrels to burrow through, flower pots are great. You’re probably going to uncover their yummy treasure trove buried a few inches deep in your containers.
Unfortunately, the rodents may also dig up your bulbs or munch on your delicate potted plants.
So, how can you keep these crafty creatures out of your potted plants? Here are some things that you can try.
Create a Barrier
Squirrels may also be deterred from digging up the soil in your pots by using rocks. Simply place some small pebbles in the container around the plant to protect the vulnerable soil.
However, don’t use too many rocks, or too huge ones in general, because they may reduce the quantity of water your plant receives.
Setting up a chicken wire barrier is another good barrier for keeping squirrels away from your potted plants.
If you don’t have any and don’t want to buy some, you may wrap an old fishing net or other similar material around the plant after cutting it down to size.
Use Coffee Grounds
Mixing leftover coffee grounds from your coffee maker onto the top layer of soil serves a dual function and is an efficient strategy to keep squirrels away from your potted plants.
Not only do squirrels despise the smell and taste of coffee grounds, but a lot of plants benefit from it as well.
Use Cayenne Pepper
Another effective approach for educating squirrels not to interfere with your potted plants is to sprinkle them with a bit of cayenne pepper.
They’ll think twice about squirreling in it again after getting a smell of the searing red material.
Use Garlic Powder
Sprinkle a little quantity of garlic powder on and around the outside plants you’ve potted. Garlic, like coffee and cayenne pepper, can drive squirrels fleeing from your potted plants and climbing the nearest tree.
Use Hot Pepper Spray
One of the most effective methods for keeping squirrels out of your potted plants is to use hot pepper spray. A couple of spoonfuls of washing liquid, a tiny bottle of spicy pepper sauce, and water can be combined to form a simple solution.
Fill a spray bottle halfway with the mixture and shake it well before spraying the soil in your potted plants. For even greater effects, put some pepper spray on the outside of the pots and the surrounding area.
If you like, you may also buy commercial hot pepper spray in a shop or online.
Use Blood Meal
Plants adore blood meal, which is frequently added to boost the nutritional content of potting mixes. Squirrels, on the other hand, dislike the scent. As with coffee grounds, using this squirrel repellent strategy kills two birds with one stone.
Scare Them Away
When you hang old CDs or glossy plates near your outside plants, the bright lights may deter them from exploring further.
Similarly, you might hang wind chimes or thread up tin cans. The cacophony of such hanging things will undoubtedly frighten the squirrels.
Hang a little kite fashioned like a hawk if you really want to go creative. Alternatively, install a hawk statue near the pots. Squirrels are prey for hawks, who are natural predators. If they see a hawk, they will undoubtedly flee for safety.
Making a squirrel feeding station is a shady strategy, but it might preserve your potted plants.
It may appear to be counter-productive, but if you feed them frequently and keep them as far away from your flowerpots as you can. If you have quite a large yard, this strategy will work very well.
Make sure the food is easily accessible, such as on a plate or in a dish. Fill it with a variety of their favorite snacks, which include a variety of fruits and nuts.
If you keep the stockpile filled, the squirrels will have no motivation to raid your potted plants for food.
Utilize Your Dog
If you don’t already have a dog, the simplest solution to keep squirrels out of your potted plants is to get one. However, you must allow them to go outdoors throughout the day in order for them to identify and drive squirrels away.
The squirrels are far less likely to return after your dog chases them away a few times. This strategy is also effective for keeping squirrels away from bigger plants such as tomatoes.
Save your dog’s hair and scatter it on the soil of your potted plants the next time you groom him. It just takes a little to send out a dog’s smell and drive away any little pests that come visiting.
It will ultimately fail, therefore change it on a regular basis. If you keep your cuttings, you may use human hair as well.
Experiment with these strategies to discover how they work for you. Some squirrels are tenacious and may try to outlast you, so you must be vigilant and try various techniques as needed.
You will win the war without injuring the squirrels if you persevere. However, if you encounter a really difficult squirrel, don’t be afraid to utilize a live squirrel trap and release it to a more remote spot.