As a homeowner trying to grow a lush, green lawn, one of the most frustrating things is when squirrels dig up and eat newly planted grass seed. I’ve been there – eagerly waiting for those first little sprouts to emerge, only to find dirt pits and bare patches where seed used to be
If you’ve dealt with these furry little thieves ruining your landscaping projects, you’re probably wondering do squirrels really eat grass seed, and if so, how much damage can they cause? After battling squirrels in my own yard, I decided to find out everything I could on the subject Here’s what I learned about the seed-eating habits of squirrels, plus some great tips for keeping them away from your lawn
Why Squirrels Love to Feast on Grass Seed
Squirrels are always on the hunt for food to fuel their high-energy lifestyle. When it comes to grass seed, there are a few key reasons it makes such an enticing snack:
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It’s a concentrated food source. When you spread grass seed, it’s in a dense pile – making it easy for squirrels to grab a quick meal.
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High in nutrients. Grass seed contains lots of beneficial fats, vitamins, minerals, and protein. It’s a nutritious dietary supplement.
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Tastes good. Squirrels enjoy the flavor of most grass seed varieties. The combination of taste and nutrition makes it a desirable food source.
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Easy to dig up. Grass seed is not buried deep in the soil, so squirrels can rapidly dig it up and devour it.
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Seed caching. Squirrels often hide or “cache” seeds and nuts to retrieve later. Your grass seed may become part of their stockpile.
Understanding why squirrels target grass seed can help you protect your lawn. Next, let’s look at how much damage these fuzzy bandits can inflict.
Shocking Amount of Seed One Squirrel Can Consume
You might be surprised to learn just how much seed a single squirrel is capable of eating. According to research, one squirrel can consume around 3 ounces of seed per day under laboratory conditions.
Out in your yard, a hungry squirrel may be able to eat even more. Small amounts of seed spread over 1,000 sq. feet or more provide the perfect self-serve squirrel buffet. It doesn’t take them long to wipe out vast areas of freshly laid seed, leaving unsightly patches of bare dirt and scrappy sprouts.
The amount of seed loss will vary based on factors like the number of squirrels, availability of alternative foods, seeding rate, and time since application. It’s imperative to act quickly at the first sign of squirrel digging to prevent total destruction. Now let’s go over proven ways to stop these greedy little seed snatchers.
10 Clever Tactics to Stop Squirrels From Eating Seed
Fortunately, there are many clever DIY solutions and commercial products available to deter marauding squirrels and keep your grass seed protected. Here are the top 10 methods I’ve found effective:
1. Apply smelly repellents – Repellents containing castor oil, garlic, or capsaicin (the chemical that makes chili peppers spicy) can deter squirrels from even entering your yard. Reapply after rain.
2. Install physical barriers – Chicken wire, hardware cloth, or plastic netting can create squirrel-proof enclosures around seeded areas. Bury edges several inches into the soil.
3. Scare them away – Motion activated sprinklers, predator decoys, noise makers, and other scare tactics will frighten squirrels off. Move them around frequently.
4. Use starter fertilizer – Phosphorus-rich starter fertilizer helps grass seed germinate quickly, reducing the window squirrels have to eat it.
5. Apply filler seed first – Give squirrels a decoy meal by spreading cheap filler seed like annual ryegrass before your real seed.
6. Feed them elsewhere – Create a squirrel picnic area far from seeded zones, with corncobs, peanuts, or bird seed to divert their attention.
7. Time seeding before rain – Squirrels don’t like digging in wet soil. Rain also presses seed safely into the ground.
8. Allow supervised dog access – Most squirrels steer clear of yards with dogs present. Just be sure your pooch doesn’t damage the lawn.
9. Trap aggressive squirrels – For severe infestations, it may be necessary to trap problem squirrels and legally relocate them at least 5 miles away.
10. Reseed damaged spots – Fill in bare patches by reseeding with new seed protected by barriers. Be persistent and patient!
With creativity and diligence, you can outsmart these clever seed stealers. Don’t surrender your lawn to the squirrels!
Frequently Asked Questions About Squirrels and Grass Seed
Here are answers to some common questions homeowners have about keeping their grass seed safe from squirrels:
Should I kill or harm squirrels ransacking my seed?
Absolutely not! There are humane ways to deter squirrels without causing them injury. Poison, weapons, and other harm should always be avoided.
What is the most effective natural squirrel repellent?
Castor oil and capsaicin-based repellents are very effective and safe. Also, plants like garlic, lavender, and marigolds planted around the perimeter of your lawn can help repel squirrels.
How soon after seeding should I apply repellents?
It’s smart to apply natural repellents immediately after laying seed, before squirrels start investigating. Reapply every few days until grass is 2-3 inches tall.
What type of fencing or netting works best?
Burying hardware cloth, chicken wire, or plastic netting at least 3-4 inches underground provides an effective seed barrier. Just be sure to leave no gaps wider than 1/2 inch.
Is it okay to relocate trapped squirrels?
Yes, as long as you release them at least 5 miles from your property. Be sure to check your state’s laws and only use humane traps.
The Bottom Line: Protect Your Seed and Your Sanity
Once those busy squirrels set their sights on your newly planted grass seed, they can quickly undo hours of hard work, leaving your lawn patchy and sparse.
While it may take some trial and error, vigilant monitoring, and adaptation as squirrels outsmart your deterrents, you can safeguard your seed. In time, you’ll be rewarded with the lush, beautiful lawn you deserve.
Just don’t let the squirrels drive you nuts. With flexible, creative solutions, a commitment to humane squirrel deterrence, and a lot of patience, you can grow the lawn of your dreams.
So if you spot a shifty squirrel eyeing your yard, take action right away. Use these tips and techniques to discourage seed theft and protect your landscaping investment. A flawless lawn is worth the effort required to outsmart these clever little garden bandits!
Many gardeners despair at the sight of a cheeky squirrel scuttling around their precious gardens, scratching at the lawn and making little holes in the turf.
Squirrels aren’t your typical culprit when it comes to lawn destruction. That doesn’t mean that they aren’t known to do some damage. Whether it’s making holes in the lawn or stealing food from our birdfeeders, the swift and nimble squirrel can be a challenge.
Squirrels are known for chewing a bit of everything so don’t be too surprised when they have taken a quick nibble on your flowers and other vegetation, but you may notice they’re also capable of chewing on wooden decks and furniture. Most of their diet is made up of fruits, nuts and seeds though, and it is generally the foraging and storing of food that causes issues.
Squirrels mostly damage the lawn by digging up the acorns and nuts which they’ve stashed there in the past or the gardeners’ prized bulbs. If it’s the latter, that’s adding insult to injury but generally the holes are fairly small in diameter and shallow, so don’t tend to cause any long-term issues. Filling with some soil and raking lightly before patting some seed down will help with any little divots and should recover quickly in the right conditions.
There are things you can try if the furry tailed fiend is causing havoc
- Protect vulnerable trees or bulbs. During times of heavy squirrel activity (usually Spring and Autumn), consider protecting smaller fruit and nut trees by covering with netting. Some people use wire mesh in their flower beds around bulbs, which allows them to grow but prevents the squirrel from digging. Tulip and crocus bulbs are a squirrel delicacy, so avoid these and choose daffodils instead, or try planting pots of mint which they detest!
- Reduce temptation; avoid feeding pets outdoors so no food traces are left behind, and make sure bins are sealed properly, as this could attract a variety of scavenging wildlife.
- Use decoys; many of the usual methods for deterring wildlife are reliant on the creature being nocturnal and startling them. Unfortunately, squirrels are also active during the day, so things like motion sensitive lights don’t tend to have much effect. However, given squirrels fear of owls, some have reported the successful use of dummy owls within the garden to scare squirrels away.
- Protect wooden structures; if squirrels are snacking on your decking or chairs, try rubbing areas with a bar of soap or rub on capsaicin-based repellent.
- To stop them stealing bird food; avoid seed mixes including sunflower seeds, which are one of their favourites, and consider squirrel-resistant birdfeeders. If you have an upstanding birdfeeder, some have reported success (and much amusement) by greasing the upright pole, so the squirrels are unable to climb up it. Alternatively, add a DIY baffle to your existing birdfeeder – look on YouTube for some creative approaches!
Meanwhile, others will be more sanguine about the whole thing and enjoy the spectacle of a squirrel prancing about between the holes he or she has made. This latter group have also suggested that the small holes left behind might even be helping with aeration! In any case, we would not recommend the third suggested solution; the use of lethal force. Whether this is by air rifle or lethal trap, it will only be a temporary fix as (like all rodents) squirrels breed profusely. As soon as one individual is taken out of the picture, another will be ready to take his or her place in the eternal circle of life. Much to the frustration of the poor gardener!