How to Keep Squirrels from Digging in Flower Pots
Squirrels can be a serious nuisance for flower gardeners. They are persistent little creatures that can easily make a meal of your carefully tended flower beds and pot plants. To counteract their pesky behavior, you’ll need to take a few steps to keep them away from your flower pots.
1. Plant Inappropriate Plants
When selecting flowers for your garden, be aware of which ones are more attractive to squirrels. Attractive landscaping plants like day lilies, pansies, primroses, hostas, impatiens, snapdragon, etc. are likely to call out to your furry friends. Choose something that squirrels find unattractive such as:
- Rockrose
- Heather
- Santolina
- Fuchsia
- Yarrow
- Primula
2. Use Barriers
You can also try to keep squirrels from accessing your flower pots by using barriers. Burying chicken wire or galvanized metal mesh around the pots is an effective way to keep them out, as well as creating a physical barrier with bricks or logs.
3. Sprinkle Repellents
Another way to make sure that squirrels stay away from your flower pots is to sprinkle repellents around the pots and plants. Sprinkle your plants with a mixture of cayenne pepper, lavender oil, garlic oil, or predator scat—all of which are designed to discourage them.
4. Set Traps
One of the most effective ways to keep squirrels away from your flower pots is to set traps around them. Having traps set up in your garden will make sure that any wandering squirrels are quickly and humanely caught and removed from the area.
5. Use Scare Tactics
Scare tactics are often an effective way to keep squirrels away. Objects that move, emit noises, and have eyes can be used to scare away squirrels. You can also use motion-activated sprays such as pepper spray to keep them away.
By following these simple measures, you can enjoy your flower garden without worrying about pesky squirrels digging up your flower pots.
