How to prevent squirrels from eating flower buds in winter?

Dottie
by Dottie
Too large to wrap in burlap.
Is there something I can apply to rhododendrons that the squirrels will not like?
  12 answers
  • Job29802297 Job29802297 on Oct 08, 2017

    I did Rells All that repels all sorts of critters. it is a very noxious spray that I use on Hostas ,lemon lilies. The odor will be strong for a day anyway. Plants must be dry to spray. Wear longsleeves,gloves and eyeware. Not toxic just disgusting at first. Walmart,Tractor supply and feed stores have it In white trigger plastic container.


  • Myr8816833 Myr8816833 on Oct 09, 2017

    hot pepper flakes from the dollar store and can also spray liquid red pepper. this does not hurt birds but squirrels don't like it.

  • Patricia fehr Patricia fehr on Oct 09, 2017

    Ya might also try give them something they like better. For example, they love corn cobs.😊 You can also buy logs that either hang or screw into trees. As cute as thay are, they can be distructive. I had to stop putting christmas lights on my back deck because they chewed the wires and stole the bulbs. I'd find the bulbs in the spring burried in my mulch!! I guess they looked good enough to eat😅

  • JUDIE JUDIE on Oct 09, 2017

    PELLET GUN

  • Kelly Smith Kelly Smith on Oct 09, 2017

    I had good luck with planting basil in my flower pots with various flowers. Both squirrels and bunnies left my plants alone for a change. You might try planting basil as a barrier.

  • Dottie Dottie on Oct 09, 2017

    Thanks I may try this👍

  • KatAych KatAych on Oct 09, 2017

    Offer them an alternative. Our neighbors have a huge avocado tree that butts up to our backyard fence and is home to a family of squirrels...we secured a small piece of wood to the fence and leave them sunflower seeds, granola, and the like and they come down everyday, scoop up the offerings, and scurry back up into the tree.

  • Barbara Baldwin Barbara Baldwin on Oct 09, 2017

    I have never heard of squirrels eating rhodies

  • Sheila Sheila on Oct 10, 2017

    I was told, by a friend who owns a nursery, that if we put chunks of Irish Spring soap on our deck rails, that squirrels HATE that smell. We live in a neighborhood that has countless walnut trees and this was the first summer i have had with NO SQUIRRELS on our deck. It works like a charm, and is less pricey than dropping $50 on sprays and pellets. and much less labor intensive than applying several products. ONCE I placed the small chunks of the soap, that protected our deck the entire summer.

  • Kelly Smith Kelly Smith on Oct 10, 2017

    That’s funny!😄

  • Sallie Sallie on Oct 11, 2017

    Gonna try this one. Squirrels bury acorns and then trees sprout in the bushes.

    Rae