That cute little woodland creature with a fuzzy tail can wreak havoc in the garden. They munch, dig, and gnaw on everything from tender plant shoots, tree buds and fruits, garden vegetables, and bulbs. And don’t even let me get started about what they can do with a well-stocked bird feeder. While controlling the entire squirrel population is nearly impossible, there are plants you can incorporate into your garden that they don’t enjoy and might just help keep squirrels away.
Understanding Squirrel Behavior
Squirrels are opportunistic rodents that look for the easiest way to consume their next meal and that includes your seeds, bulbs, and plants. Once all the easy-to-access food sources are depleted, squirrels chew through plastic, wood, or house siding to find more. Population numbers vary per season and their habitat can range up to one hundred acres if food is scarce, especially in the fall.
Signs of Squirrel Damage in Gardens
If you see scratching in freshly-tilled soil or half-eaten bulbs, you have squirrel problems. They also strip bark from tree branches, gnaw on ripening fruits and vegetables, and consume tender buds and plants. Once seeds form on trees and plants, you may discover fresh holes dug in your lawn or flower beds where squirrels are hiding the seeds.
Plants That Repel Squirrels
Gardeners often resort to many different squirrel control methods. We will focus on adding plants that squirrels don’t find palatable, encouraging them to move on to another food-finding area. Just a reminder that if a squirrel is hungry enough, there are no plants that will stop them from feeding in your garden. However, these nine plants are not food targets for squirrels.
Mint
Peppermint, spearmint, and other scented plants in the mint family will repel not only squirrels but other rodents as well.
Add perennial mint plants around the edge of your vegetable garden to deter squirrels. However, be diligent because mint spreads rapidly. Pull extra plants, dry the foliage, and sprinkle it in other areas to keep away rodents.
Nasturtiums
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Once these yellow, red, orange, or cream blooms appear, squirrels will leave them alone due to their strong, pungent odor.
These annuals are easy to start from seed and can be interspersed throughout the garden or placed in containers.
Marigolds
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Another pungent bloomer, marigolds repel squirrels and a host of insects.
With dozens of cultivars of French and African marigolds ranging from bronze, red, and orange to gold, yellow, and white, you can surely find the perfect annual for your garden. Plant marigolds alongside vegetables as insect and rodent repellents in flower beds or containers.
Alliums
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Ornamental onions, chives, and spring onions produce a scent and flavor that squirrels find distasteful. Add ornamental onions to flower beds and edible onions near tomatoes to keep squirrels away.
Garlic
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Add garlic to the garden for more than harvesting the delicious bulbs. Allow some of your garlic to flower and plant near tomatoes to help keep squirrels away.
Daffodils and Hyacinths
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Opt for daffodil and hyacinth bulbs for fall planting rather than tulips. Squirrels don’t like the taste of these bulbs but find tulips a most delicious snack.
Plant daffodil and hyacinth bulbs in the fall once ground temperatures remain stable around 60 degrees F. Many daffodil and hyacinth varieties will multiply and put on a springtime show for several years.
Hot Peppers
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Many commercial squirrel repellents rely on cayenne and other hot pepper powders to repel squirrels. Plant your own varieties of hot pepper plants and enjoy a squirrel-free summer and some tasty flavor enhancers for meals.
Start from seed or buy seedlings for the garden. Plant around tomatoes and squash to keep squirrels at bay. Add ornamental pepper plants to fall containers to keep squirrels away from pumpkins on your porch.
Lily of the Valley
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Part of the asparagus family, Lily of the Valley thrives in partial to full-shade areas. Squirrels find the rhizome roots distasteful and are deterred by the highly perfumed scent of the blooms.
The only issue with Lily of the Valley is its rapid spread. Choose a shady area where it has room to spread without smothering other plants.
Geraniums
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These plants offer two deterrents for squirrels: pungent blooms and fuzzy stems and leaves. Squirrels prefer tender, smooth bites.
Most gardeners treat geraniums as annuals in flower beds or containers. However, they can overwinter by moving the plants into a cool, sheltered area. Stop watering for the winter and slowly acclimate them to the garden next spring.
Additional Strategies to Deter Squirrels
After seeing the damage done by squirrels, gardeners will resort to anything from netting to applying commercial or DIY repellents.
Physical Barriers: Netting is an effective barrier to keep squirrels away from ripening fruits and vegetables. Sections of chicken wire laid over freshly planted bulbs and covered with mulch can keep squirrels from digging. Placing sharp sticks around tender seedlings in containers can deter squirrels and are easily removed as the plant grows. Fences are nearly useless unless you make an enclosed cage.
Commercial and DIY Repellents: Most commercial rodent repellents contain capsaicin (hot pepper compound), mint or rosemary oils, or putrid egg solids. You can make your own mixture in solid or spray form. The repellents must be reapplied after watering or rain.
