Do you like squirrels, but are you afraid they will cause damage to your garden? There are many types of animals, insects, and pests that can damage your garden. So how do you know when it's a squirrel?The following content also has some reference value for raised garden beds.
Since squirrels usually eat during the day and night, this may be a difficult question to answer.
When the following situations occur, you will know that squirrels have caused damage to your plants:
- Types of plant damage
The types of damage caused by squirrels to plants may vary slightly depending on the season.
In spring, squirrels will eat the tender buds of new plants or dig out the seeds you have planted.
In summer, squirrels will eat broad-leaved weeds, clover, grass, leaves, tender buds, roots, and berries.
In winter, squirrels usually eat nuts, shrubs, and pine nuts.
If the leaves are partially torn or have large holes, the damage is likely caused by squirrels
You also know that if the incision is made at a certain angle and not more than 20 inches from the ground, squirrels can cause damage to plants. Squirrels usually cannot reach plants higher than 20 inches.
- Other signs of squirrels
You can also determine whether squirrels are in your garden or yard based on several other factors.
One of the main ways to determine if a squirrel is in your garden is through its tracks. This is only effective in winter, usually in spring or summer when the ground is too hard and the track cannot be printed on the ground.
Another way to determine if squirrels are in your yard or garden is to check for cracked or cracked nuts. This is usually most noticeable in autumn.
Method to keep squirrels away from the garden:
- Choose your plants wisely
The simplest and cheapest way to keep squirrels away from the garden is not to plant the plants they like to eat.
Generally speaking, squirrels tend to eat these plants first:
- Any young plant (1 year or less)
- Any soft or tender plant (think of smooth leaves that tear easily)
- Pumpkin, broccoli, lettuce, mushrooms, corn
- Any type of flower
- Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, apples, avocados, oranges
These types of plants are nutritious and easy to consume. In early spring and late summer, this is the type of food that squirrels need to grow and prepare for winter.
The more unprotected these plants in your yard, the more squirrels you may attract.
If you want to plant some vegetables or herbs, fruits or vegetables, I suggest:
- Onion, chili, garlic, oregano, basil
- Older and taller plants
- Pelargonium genus
- Narcissus, hyacinth, geranium, scallions
- Keep the courtyard clean
If you want to prevent squirrels from entering your garden, then stop them from settling down in your yard.
Simply put, this means cutting grass, removing any dead shrubs or haystacks, and reducing high-density areas. Squirrels like covered areas, so this will help them find shelter and food in other places.
- Apply a single plant network
Sometimes, the best choice to prevent plants from being eaten is to use a separate plant net. Squirrels usually do not eat plants with nets. They are afraid of being entangled in the net and are even more difficult to eat this plant.
It's easy to use plant nets. Simply cover the net completely on your plants and fix it to the ground with some substantial things.
- Build a raised garden bed
Elevated garden beds are something that everyone can do, no matter where you live.
Squirrels prefer flat and easily accessible areas. They like this because if predators pass by, they can leave the area as soon as possible. Because of this, squirrels often rarely visit the raised beds in the garden.
My suggestion is to build a raised garden bed to prevent squirrels from coming to your garden.
- Plant your garden in a flowerpot
I have to admit that this skill requires effort and can quickly accumulate. If everything else fails and squirrels keep entering your garden, then I suggest planting everything in a pot so that squirrels cannot reach it.
If you completely want to prevent squirrels from eating your plants, then place your flowerpot on the deck, terrace, or even inside.
- Install Fence
Installing garden fences may sound like a costly and time-consuming project. One of the most effective ways to keep a squirrel out of the garden is to surround it. You can even surround individual plants. If you want to kill two birds with one stone, then I suggest you buy a fence that is 4 to 8 feet tall.
Squirrels are beautiful animals that are fun to watch, but they can also cause trouble in your garden.
Although it is difficult to consistently exclude them, it is not impossible. If you want to keep squirrels away from your garden, then I suggest you mix the above methods.
