Gardening with Gary

Gardening Advice from an Expert

Squirrels

Lynn writes~
Each year we plant bulbs, tomato plants, and already have fruit trees. We never get to gather anything for the squirrels. They eat everything!!! I love our squirrels, so I wouldn't want to get rid of them in any way, but I would also like to enjoy the fruits, vegetables, and be able to see a few of the bulbs actually get to the blooming stage. We keep all sorts of things for the squirrels to eat, so they can't possibly be that hungry. Can you help?

A. The garden can be protected by enclosing it with a 1/4 inch wire mesh structure. Since squirrels climb you will need to have a roof as well as walls. At the very least you should protect your bulb plants for if the squirrel gets these your plant will die rather than just be damaged. If you don't want to fence, then you will need to trap down the population at least until other food sources become available later in the calendar year. Spring is a tough time for squirrels because they have to feed young and there is no food available.

I suggest that you go to this page below and read through all the information. It is way more than I can print here. One point emphasized is that your area should be cleaned of branches where squirrels live, no open bins of foods, bird feeders secure so that they are not attracted to your property for seeds, and using a goo or fencing for protection. Our home in Ohio has had hundreds of brown squirrels fro decades and I was always able to successfully garden there. They pretty much stayed to their hickory and walnuts.

http://landscaping.about.com/gi/ads/sprunder.htm?ref=sprunder

Squirrels are natural acrobats and can easily overcome (and I'm convinced, even enjoy) our attempts to thwart them. You might be able to construct some sort of slippery baffle that leans outward at the top of the fence. (Of course your neighbors will have to agree with this since it will be on their side.) If you make it tall and steep, the squirrels will slide off if they try to climb it, and it'll be too tall for them to leap over. Alternatively, a strand or two of electrified fence a the top of the wooden fence might do the trick. You could also try laying chicken wire around plants the squirrels are damaging; they'll usually avoid walking on it.

Try their product:

Get Away Animal Repellent, 1 quart
Best used for: Repelling: Raccoons, deer, rabbits, squirrels, dogs, and cats from gardens, lawns, landscaped areas, and garbage cans. Repels by taste and odor. Resists washing off. Pleasant lemon scent is not offensive to humans. $16.20

http://www.victorpest.com/faq/wildlife.htm

Best of luck. You do not have an easy task.

Casssy writes~ I have fruit trees and the squirrels are eating all of my fruit! I don't want to use something that will ruin the taste of the fruit, and don't want to harm or get rid of the squirrels from the whole yard, just the fruit trees. Any ideas?

A. Hang mothballs in 1-foot lengths of knee-high nylon hose in several places around the tree, especially near the heaviest clusters of fruit. Also sprinkle a few around the base of the tree. The key is to start early, while the fruit is still tiny and before the squirrels know it is food. Replenish it every 3-4 weeks when the mothballs get small. There is also a difference in brands of mothballs. The Enoz brand which Walgreen's carries has the most potent smell and also lasts the longest. You can try to repel the animal from your fruit trees or you can use a Havahart Live Animal Cage Trap and relocate them at least 8 miles away. Or try a product called Shake-Away. Several applications of this powder proves immediate impact and safe control of ornamental plants, vegetables and fruit trees: http://www.critter-repellent.com/squirrels/test/squirrels-test-trees.html

Here is a link to a website regarding squirrels and possible solutions:

 http://www.havahart.com/nuisance/squirrels/squirrels.htm

Debbie writes~ Does anyone have a good suggestion for keeping squirrels out of my fig tree...they always get to them just before ripe.

A. Contact a Home Improvement Contractor for assistance. Look in the yellow pages: 'Control or Eliminate Rodents or Small Animals.' Or, Do Your Own Squirrel Control: Repellents that are Easy to Use, Safe and Natural, Solve your Problem. Squirrels may look cute, but they're really just rodents with a bushy tail! And those big teeth and digging claws can do a lot of damage, including destroying lawns, gardens, and bird feeders, as well as invading living spaces and vehicles. Trapping squirrels can be expensive and dangerous (they can be fierce when cornered!). Poisoning them is illegal in many states, and puts pets and people at risk. There is an effective, safe squirrel repellent that really works. Shake-Away is an easy-to-use and scientifically proven remedy. Shake-Away is a powerful granular repellent that takes advantage of the strongest deterrent in the animal kingdom: your small critters, inborn, instinctive fear. It contains the scent of the squirrels worst enemy, the Fox. Squirrels diet consists of nuts, insects, seeds and fruit. Because of their large growing teeth they are veracious chewers, gnawing on everything from electrical wiring to the eves on your house. By simply sprinkling the powder around the area you want to protect, your pest will instinctively steer clear of the area "claimed" by the Fox. Shake-Away benefits: Easy to apply powder – Applies in just minutes. Makes NO mess of you or your landscape. It's Safe - 100% Organic - Safe to use around children, pets and plants. Does NOT harm the animals you are repelling. http://www.critter-repellent.com/squirrel/squirrel-control.php?source=GoogleAW

Ethel writes~ We have chipmunks and squirrels digging up and eating our spring bulbs are a tasty treat. What can my husband do?

A. Use a bulb booster or rock phosphate from your local nursery instead of bone meal, which attracts animals. Place cracked and cutup clam or oyster shells or crushed eggshells in the holes with the bulbs. These sharp-edged objects discourage animals digging around the bulbs. Plant a generous supply of daffodils with other spring bulbs. Rodents usually avoid daffodils. If the problem is severe, surround the border, dig up the area, line it with strong hardware cloth, then replace the soil. Once the bulbs are planted, place hardware cloth over the soil and cover with mulch. To protect groups of bulbs, enclose the bulb in hardware cloth before planting or plant bulbs in an inexpensive plastic pot with a piece of hardware cloth cut to size to cover the top. Then plant pot in the garden.

Marion writes~
We have hungry squirrels that have taken over the garden, mostly the flowers. We have used the "little bags" of anti-squirrel stuff. We have used red pepper both in the pods and powder. We have used spray in bottles guaranteed to keep away the deer, rabbits and squirrels but nothing helps. They ate the flowers from the hibiscus we planted last year. This year they ate the buds. We have made cages from chicken wire and planted the bulbs under it. They waited until the flowers appeared and ate the flowers and buds. Is there any new magic?

A. You have done all that I have recommended in the past and have nothing else to add. Best check with a local nursery and your agriculture cooperative extension for new ideas and products. I am very sorry.