Simple Squirrel Repellent Tricks for Your Garden

A couple of weeks ago, I did a blog on repelling mosquitoes. I had a customer come in and say her biggest problem was not mosquitoes—it was squirrels. So here’s how to live with them.

First, Some Interesting Squirrel Facts

• The word “squirrel” comes from the Anglo-Norman esquirel, meaning “shadow-tailed,” with roots in Greek skiouros.
• Squirrels are native to every continent except Antarctica and Australia. (The ones in Australia were introduced.)
• They’re rodents closely related to chipmunks, groundhogs, and prairie dogs.
• Their front teeth never stop growing—up to six inches a year—so they gnaw constantly.
• Squirrels are omnivores, eating mostly seeds, nuts, bulbs, fungi, and fruits, but also insects and eggs.
• They bury nuts and seeds but often don’t return for them, helping plant new trees and plants.
• A group of squirrels is called a “scurry” (very fitting).
• They can smell food buried under a foot of snow.
• Squirrels bulk up in autumn for winter, can leap 10 times their body length, and even see behind them due to eye placement.
• The smallest squirrel, the African Pygmy, is about the size of a mouse, while the Indian Giant squirrel can grow up to three feet long.
• Some squirrels chew rattlesnake skins and rub the scent on their fur to deter predators.

Living with Squirrels in Your Garden

Squirrels can be a nuisance, but they’re easy to manage with a few simple tricks:

• Repellents with cayenne or capsaicin work well. Sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes in birdseed to keep squirrels away from feeders (birds can’t taste the heat).
• Protect your tomatoes: Squirrels target smaller green tomatoes for their moisture, not to eat the fruit itself. Spray tomatoes with a hot-pepper spray (like Hot Pepper Wax) and place a water source nearby (within 15-20 feet). Without water nearby, squirrels will keep trying to suck moisture from your tomatoes, especially in hot, dry weather.
• Stop bulb digging: Tulip bulbs should be planted about 10 inches deep—squirrels dig but don’t tunnel, so deep bulbs are safe. Planting daffodils above tulips helps, as daffodils are toxic to squirrels.
• Prevent digging in new seedlings: Loose soil invites digging, but squirrels aren’t usually after seedlings themselves. Sprinkle crushed red pepper or cayenne pepper on the soil after planting to deter them.
• Keep squirrels out of your attic: Trim tree branches so they’re at least six to eight feet away from your house to prevent easy access.

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