How to Keep Squirrel Out of Potted Plants
If you want to keep squirrels from destroying your potted plants, you have to find out how to scare them away from the container. One effective way to do this is by using a motion-activated sprinkler or scarecrow gardening. If you don’t have access to such tools, you can use common ingredients such as black pepper, cayenne pepper, chopped onions, or hot pepper sauce. Dry blood meal and bone meal are also effective deterrents.
Scarecrow gardening
Covering your potted plants with chicken wire or plastic bird netting will deter squirrels from gnawing on them. While small rocks won’t hurt your plants, large ones will reduce the amount of water they get. Place a small piece of chicken wire under the soil to discourage them from digging. Old fishing net and chicken wire are good physical barriers that keep squirrels from digging. You must rotate your scare tactics every few weeks to keep your potted plants safe.
If you cannot get rid of the squirrels completely, you can use repellents made from organic materials. These repellents are non-toxic and safe for humans to use. Spray the repellents on your plants, potting soil, or soil. Keep in mind that these sprays will work only for a few days, so you must reapply them every few days. You can also use hair clippings or coffee grinds to discourage the squirrels.
Motion-activated sprinkler
To keep squirrels out of potted plants, a motion-activated sprinkler may be your best option. These sprinklers can detect the movement of squirrels and can be set to either day or night mode. You can also set the timer to run continuously for 24 hours. These devices are inexpensive and easy to install. Read on to learn more about them. You can also get repellents that work effectively, as well as prevent wildlife from accessing your plant pots.
If you are worried about squirrels eating your plants, you can also install a motion-activated sprinkler. These devices are available at a local hardware store and can be installed in an undisturbed area. To test the motion-activated sprinkler, throw a tennis ball near the plants to see if they will scare the squirrel away. If they do, the sprinkler will go off and you won’t need to worry about a squirrel nibbling your plants.
Blood meal
Squirrels dig in flower pots to store food and bury acorns. You can discourage them by putting strands of hair around the pots. A layer of rocks around the pot can also deter them. Squirrels have a particularly strong odor. They will not venture in your potted plants if they can’t smell it.
A homemade repellent is an easy way to deter squirrels from your plants. You can simply add a few tablespoons of crushed pepper and a little bit of cayenne pepper to the mix. Then strain through a fine strainer to make a liquid. Place the solution in a spray bottle and spray it around the potted plants. However, you should use this repellent with care, since the peppers can cause skin irritation. Blood meal is a highly concentrated form of nitrogen and may irritate the skin of your pet.
Apple cider vinegar
If you’re looking for ways to keep squirrels out of your potted plants, apple cider vinegar can be an effective option. Squirrels are naturally repelled by the sour taste of vinegar. Soaking old rags in diluted apple cider vinegar, and spraying them around the plant’s base, can help keep squirrels away. Make sure to dilute the solution first so that the effect is not too strong.
You can also spray apple cider vinegar on plants to repel chipmunks. You can also place a small container filled with vinegar near the hole where the animals enter and exit. If the smell fades, reapply the solution. Another alternative is to use a sound repellent device. This type of gadget emits high-frequency sound waves that repel squirrels. To use it, however, make sure to use an outdoor extension cord.
Blocking exposed soil
One way to keep squirrels out of your container garden is to block the soil. You can block the exposed soil by placing rocks or other items that can prevent squirrels from digging up the soil. Be sure to choose small rocks or objects that won’t impact the amount of water that the plant receives. Another physical barrier is an old fishing net or chicken wire. These can be placed over the soil and the plants in the pot.
Another way to deter squirrels from damaging your potted plants is to cover them with mulch or plastic. This can keep the squirrels away from the soil and plants. Squirrels love grass and trees, and the more trees you have, the better. If you want to prevent squirrels from damaging your potted plants, you can use squirrel baffles. The squirrel baffles fit around the trunk of trees and make it difficult for them to climb. However, they are not effective against jumping squirrels.
Blocking the exposed part of the soil
To keep the squirrel from destroying your potted plants, block the exposed part of the soil with an object that will not be attractive to them. Chicken wire or an old fishing net is an ideal physical barrier. Another option is to place a small plastic fork with its tines up in the soil. But this won’t prevent the squirrel from getting to your plants. Instead of using a fork, use a piece of chicken wire, or even a small twig.
You can also place shiny plates, CDs, and tin cans near your outdoor potted plants to make them less attractive to the pest. Hanging windchimes and other bright lights may also discourage squirrels from visiting your potted plants. You can also place an empty soda can nearby. If you still don’t have the patience to try these methods, you can always try using a repellent such as dog hair.
How do you keep squirrels out of potted plants?
Answer 1: By using a squirrel guard you can keep squirrels out of potted plants.
What is a squirrel guard?
Answer 2: A squirrel guard is a physical barrier that prevents squirrels from getting to your plants.
How do you install a squirrel guard?
Answer 3: You can install a squirrel guard by stapling it to the pot or putting it around the base of the plant.
What do squirrel guards look like?
Answer 4: Squirrel guards can be made out of hardware cloth chicken wire or any other type of wire mesh.
Will a squirrel guard keep other animals out of my potted plants?
Answer 5: Squirrel guards will also keep out other animals such as rats mice and chipmunks.
Do I need to use a squirrel guard all the time?
Answer 6: No you only need to use a squirrel guard when you see squirrels or other animals around your potted plants.
How often should I check my squirrel guard?
Answer 7: You should check your squirrel guard every few days to make sure it is still effective.
What if I find a squirrel in my potted plant?
Answer 8: If you find a squirrel in your potted plant you can try to scare it away or catch it and release it outside.
How can I scare a squirrel away from my potted plant?
Answer 9: You can scare a squirrel away by making loud noises waving your arms or spraying it with water.
What if I can’t scare the squirrel away?
Answer 10: If you can’t scare the squirrel away you can try to catch it and release it outside.
How do I catch a squirrel?
Answer 11: You can catch a squirrel by using a live trap or a net.
What is a live trap?
Answer 12: A live trap is a trap that captures an animal without harming it.
What is a net?
Answer 13: A net is a piece of equipment that you can use to catch an animal.
How do I release the squirrel outside?
Answer 14: You can release the squirrel outside by taking it to a nearby park or wooded area.
What should I do if I can’t catch the squirrel?
Answer 15: If you can’t catch the squirrel you can try to deter it by making loud noises or spraying it with water.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
