How to Keep Squirrels Out of Your Garden

For gardeners, seeing squirrels prancing about in a yard or garden is rarely a welcome sight. After all, the fluffy-tailed rodents have developed a mighty reputation for gobbling up flowers and vegetable plants. Squirrel species found in the United States range in color from white to black, but gray is the most common color; their hue stands out against the verdant landscapes they love to visit. Though completely banishing squirrels from your garden probably isn't possible, you can employ practical ways to humanely deter them.

How Squirrels Damage Your Landscape

While squirrels are technically considered rodents—like mice, rats, and hamsters—they tend to be more destructive to outdoor landscaping than their smaller counterparts. "Though squirrels are seen as playful and mischievous animals, they can be very destructive to gardens," says Joe Felegi, general manager of Critter Control. "Many people think squirrels only eat nuts, but their diet can include fruits, plant buds, stalks, and proteins like insects."

Like rabbits, squirrels can make short work of your prized plants, leaving you with more frustration than love for the garden visitors.

Signs of Squirrel Activity in Your Garden

There are a few tell-tale signs that squirrels are using your garden and yard as their own personal cafeteria.

• Small holes in plant beds
• Missing plants
• Bite marks in fruit and vegetables
• Dug-up or damaged bulbs
• Partially eaten flowers
• Missing bird food

Tips for Keeping Squirrels Out of Your Garden

If you've witnessed any of the above signs, or have actually caught a squirrel in the act of destroying your vegetable garden, there are a couple of things you can do to keep them away.

Grow Plants That Squirrels Naturally Avoid

There are some flowers and plants these rodents don't like to nibble on, namely, plants that fall into the allium category (like onions and garlic) as well as daffodils, geraniums, hyacinths, lily-of-the-valley, and marigolds.

Eliminate Snack Stations

Preventing squirrels from entering a garden can be challenging, according to Felegi, which is why he advises against supplying food to other creatures. "My first recommendation is to make sure there are no bird feeders or other attractions before starting your garden," he says.

To reduce the chance of attracting squirrels in the first place:

• Remove bird feeders. Putting away your bird feeders (at least temporarily) can break the feeding cycle.
• Store pet food and trash in a garage. Avoid leaving pet food, compost, or trash outside. Though unintentional, these become squirrel snack stations.
• Clean up birdseed. Fallen birdseed or fruit from beneath trees or feders can attract squirrels.

Even a bird feeder that promises to deter squirrels isn't a sure bet, says Erin Kinley, state master gardener coordinator at Penn State Extension. "Very few bird feeders are universally squirrel-proof," she says. "Squirrels are persistent: Specially-designed feeders might work for a while, but eventually, your neighborhood squirrels will likely learn the trick of them, and you'll be back to square one."

Replace Your Birdseed

If you do have a feeder you don't want to give up, you can try replacing the seed with a version coated in capsaicin, the same compound that gives jalapeños their sting—something squirrels definitely don't like. "Hot pepper birdseed tastes bad to squirrels but is completely flavorless to birds," she says. "Depending on how hungry the squirrels are in the winter, they might eventually eat it anyway, but it is quite effective for a time."

Try a Chemical Repellant

Commercial repellents are often made from a base of bloodmeal or have high concentrations of aromatic garlic or cayenne pepper, says Kinley. "Prey animals like squirrels will typically avoid the smell of blood, and the garlic and cayenne irritate their mouths and noses as an extra deterrent," she says. "I avoid products with egg solids because they smell bad to people, too!" When regularly applied, these powders or sprays may also repel rabbits, groundhogs, and deer, says Kinley.

In Felegi's experience, homeowners often experience only moderate success with these formulas. "Consider them just another tool in your toolbox to help keep these little guys away," he says.

Add a Barrier

According to Felegi, barriers can be both humane and effective. "If possible, use a physical barrier that stops the squirrel from entering," he says. Try these strategies:

• Use metal mesh. A tightly woven barrier of metal mesh can block squirrels from entering your garden.
• Protect areas with netting. Raised beds can benefit from netting or cages.
• Install motion-activated sprinklers. These devices shoot a burst of water when triggered by movement. It startles squirrels without harming them.

Enclosing your yard with a fence may keep out larger plant-eaters, but not squirrels: "Squirrels are excellent acrobats, so fencing your yard in isn’t a long-term solution," says Kinley.

Secure Small Areas

Netting, fencing, or even burlap covers can provide shelter and protection for smaller spaces and raised garden beds. Kinley makes her own cone-shaped cages to protect coral bells and other perennials until the plants are thriving in the spring and uses chicken wire to protect bulbs as they begin to sprout. "Once the plants are vigorously growing in the spring, I'll remove the cage," she says. "At that stage, the plants are big enough to take a little bit of squirrel damage (and the squirrels have often moved on to other food by then)."

Know When to Call an Expert

If squirrels are damaging your property or entering your home after you've tried other tactics to keep them away, it may be time to call in the professionals. "Be sure to do your homework and make sure the company you hire is licensed and insured," he says. And Felegi points out that if you happen upon a sick or injured animal, you should never handle it. "There are many local wildlife rescue groups that will come and safely remove the animal," he says.