Asked on Jul 07, 2015

Squirrels are destroying our plants

Bert Miller
by Bert Miller
We love watching the antics of our neighborhood squirrels. However, they are destroying our tomato plants plus the sunflowers we have planted for the finches. Does anyone have any suggestions for keeping them away from the plants? We've tried hanging bright shiny objects around the cages, cayenne pepper, etc. They aren't even very frightened of our two dogs and old cat.
  11 answers
  • Janel Janel on Jul 07, 2015
    Try sprinkling HOT HOT pepper flakes, salt, etc around the plants. Squirrels doe not like anything hot..... Also, try googling squirrel deterent - ususally they will give you suggestions also.
  • Lyn Therese Lyn Therese on Jul 07, 2015
    When we first moved into our house, which is rural and full of squirrels, we had the same problem. Tried everything....nothing really worked. Decided that they were here before us so why not just accept them as part of our environment. We started feeding them...We have 6 feeding stations for them. We put some sunflower seeds, bird seed and whole unsalted peanuts at each station. When they are fed, they leave the other stuff alone.Seriously, it works but now the chipmunks are another story.....their always hungry :/
  • Carol Peck Carol Peck on Jul 07, 2015
    I know people plant hostas around trees to keep squirrels away. I would try the "Liquid Fence" made to deter deer and rabbits etc from eating plants. You can find it at Menards, and probably your local garden centers. I also use pinwheels to keep birds away. Not sure if they would deter a squirrel though. Good luck.
  • Jayne Cambra Jayne Cambra on Jul 08, 2015
    Plant any kind of mint plants around the area. Such as peppermint or spearmint. This should help. Anything in the 'Rat' family does not like anything in the 'mint' family.
  • Djs1125220 Djs1125220 on Jul 08, 2015
    There is a product you can buy at Ace Hardware that keeps small animals away from plants. It is a granule and you just sprinkle it around the plants you want to protect. It worked great for me.
  • Nikki Nikki on Jul 08, 2015
    I have sprinkle hot cayenne pepper on my plants to keep squirrels and deer from eating them, I sprinkled it right on the leaves and they left them alone. I did it every so often to make sure they didn't come back and also if the rain washed it off etc... Good Luck =)
  • Bert Miller Bert Miller on Jul 08, 2015
    Thanks to all of you who have replied to my problem of the squirrels. Up until this spring/summer, we have managed to live well together. However, this spring's babies are just plain destructive. They are nothing like their predecessors.
  • Eglehawk Eglehawk on Jul 08, 2015
    I have had the same problem all the usual methods, coffee grounds peppermint etc didn't work this year. Then I hung some old cds up in the garden. The reflections make it seem like something is moving, worked like a charm no more dug up plants
  • Gar772698 Gar772698 on Jul 08, 2015
    Try putting moth balls around your plants to keep squirrels at bay
  • JERRY  SPOONER JERRY SPOONER on Oct 04, 2020

    I BOUGHT AN INFLATABLE AIR DOLL LIKE THEY HAVE AT CARWASHERS I HOOKED IT TO A TIMER TO GO ON FOR 1 MINUTE THEN OFF FOR 2 MIN YOU WANT TO SEE THEM RUN WHEN IT GOES ON I TURN IT OFF AT DUSK BUT BE SURE TO TURN IT ON RIGHT BEFORE SUNRISE THEY WERE EATING MY TOMATOES LIKE CRAZY BUT NO MORE I FINALLY HAD TO BUY A SECOND ONE FOR THE OTHER END OF THE GARDEN THERE WERE SO MANY SQUIRRELS BUT IT WORKS 99%