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Squirrels are that rare case of a cute pest. Much like moles or chipmunks, they’re quite sweet on sight, but they can leave a lot of damage in their wake. From chewed up flower bulbs, to stripped pieces or bark, to pieces of lawn being torn up to access buried acorns, there’s many signs of a squirrel’s handiwork. And don’t get me started on the damage if they decide to take shelter in your home.
That’s why it’s best to control squirrel numbers in your yard where you can — particularly if the damage is becoming extensive. Learning how to get rid of squirrels is a good starting point and can help you deal with an immediate problem. But, there are ways to prevent these cute critters from returning. One such method is growing the right plants. While squirrels will make a meal of some of your foliage, certain plants will actually repel them. Keen to learn more? Here are 7 plants that repel squirrels.
Before we begin, its worth flagging that every plant mentioned in this list is toxic to cats and dogs. Some are also dangerous to grow around children as well. If youve got young family members or pets in your yard, look for alternative methods to keep squirrels away.
Squirrels can be a real nuisance in the garden. With their curious nature and relentlessness when it comes to finding food, squirrels often end up digging up potted plants and bulbs. Not only do they uproot plants, but they also bury nuts and seeds which hinders growth. If you’ve had enough of squirrels wreaking havoc in your potted plants, there are some simple solutions Certain plants naturally repel squirrels with their smell, taste or texture. By incorporating these plants into your pots or placing them nearby, you can deter squirrels and protect your flowers and vegetables
Understanding Squirrel Behavior
Squirrels are opportunistic rodents constantly looking for their next easy meal. This includes seeds, bulbs, and tender new growth on plants. They will chew through plastic, wood and even house siding once the easily accessible food is gone. Their habitat range can extend up to 100 acres when food is scarce You’ll know you have squirrels when you see scratch marks in disturbed soil, half-eaten bulbs, stripped tree bark, and holes dug throughout your yard and beds where they’ve hidden food.
Signs of Squirrel Damage
Some common signs of squirrel damage include
- Scratched up freshly tilled soil
- Half-eaten flower bulbs dug up from pots
- Stripped bark from branches
- Chewed fruits, vegetables, and buds
- Fresh holes dug throughout the yard and beds where seeds and nuts have been buried
Best Plants to Repel Squirrels from Potted Plants
While it’s impossible to completely squirrel-proof your garden, incorporating plants that naturally repel squirrels can help deter them. Squirrels use their senses of taste, smell, and touch to determine what plants to avoid. Here are some of the best options:
Peppermint
Mint varieties like peppermint and spearmint contain a strong scent that repels rodents including squirrels. Plant mint around the edges of pots or scatter dried mint foliage around your garden beds. Just be aware that mint spreads rapidly and may need containment.
Marigolds
Marigolds give off a pungent odor from their flowers and foliage that squirrels dislike. Their bright colors also deter insects. Choose marigold varieties in colors like gold, yellow, orange, red or bronze. Use them as companion plants next to veggies in pots or garden beds.
Alliums
Ornamental onions and chives produce a scent and flavor that squirrels avoid. Use onions and chives as companion plants near other potted vegetables. The strong onion smell helps mask the scent of prized plants.
Geraniums
Both the fuzzy leaves and pungent blooms of geraniums deter squirrels. Their bright colors also repel aphids. Place geraniums in flower pots and beds to protect nearby plants. You can overwinter geraniums by moving them to a sheltered spot.
Daffodils
Daffodil bulbs have a taste that squirrels dislike. Plant them around the edges of pots or beds to help protect other bulbs and roots. Daffodils multiply over time, providing years of beauty and squirrel control.
Hot Peppers
Peppers containing capsaicin like cayenne and jalapeño naturally repel squirrels. Grow ornamental hot peppers in pots during summer and transfer a few plants to decorate fall containers. The spicy smell helps protect pumpkins or fall mums.
Lily of the Valley
Squirrels avoid the toxic roots and highly perfumed flowers of lily of the valley. Choose a shady spot for this spreading plant to grow without overtaking other pots. The flowers can also be cut to display indoors.
Nasturtiums
Brightly colored nasturtiums have a strong, peppery scent that squirrels and insects dislike. Plant nasturtiums in pots and beds throughout the garden to help protect other plants. You can also eat both the flowers and rounded leaves in salads!
Additional Ways to Deter Squirrels
Incorporating repellent plants is an excellent natural way to control squirrels, but you may need some additional deterrents. Other options include:
- Chicken wire or netting over freshly planted bulbs or seedlings
- Sharp sticks placed in pots to make digging uncomfortable
- Strong-scented commercial or DIY repellent sprays applied regularly
- Noisemakers, pinwheels or shiny objects to startle squirrels away
Be diligent about using multiple squirrel deterrents to keep these clever pests away from your potted plants. With persistence, you can have a flourishing garden that squirrels learn to avoid.
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Hyacinths create a vibrant and fragrant display of flowers. Bloom colors range from white to pink to purple, and stand erect with one bulb producing one set of flowers per year. They’re grown both indoors and outside, often complimenting flower beds. This spring flower emits a powerful scent, often described as light and floral at first, evolving into a more intense aroma as it opens up, with spicy tones. The good news is this scent is too much for squirrels, and will have them scurrying up the nearest tree. On top of that, these bulbs are known to be toxic to squirrels as well, which will keep them at bay.
You can take advantage of this plant by strategically placing it around your yard — either growing it directly in your soil or via containers. Growing best in USDA zones 4-8, hyacinths bloom in the springtime for two weeks or longer, and the same bulb can bloom again next year with the proper care. It just needs to be cut back once the blooms are finished, then left to go dormant in a dark space until the following spring. These bulbs are toxic to children though, so avoid growing around young family members.Todays best Watering Cans deals
Onion and garlic
Alliums, such as onions and garlic, can come in more uses than one. While these plants provide an added ingredient for your meals, they will keep squirrels at a distance too. This is because that intense smell that we love so much is overwhelming for any nearby squirrels. And should the skin take damage, the sulphurous compounds emitted will be all the more potent — after all, it’s strong enough to bring tears to your eyes.
Alliums like these have a similar effect on all kinds of pests. For instance, they’re one of the 7 plants that keep mice and rats from invading your home as well as an option for 9 fly-repellent plants that will keep your home bug free. So they can be grown both indoors and outside to take advantage of that distinct aroma.
Growing garlic is simple. You just need to plant each clove 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart. Then apply about ½ to 1 inch of water a week for best growth. For full instructions, see how to grow garlic in 6 simple steps. Onions grow best in USDA zones 5-10, while garlic better suits zones 4-9.
Try These 3 EASY Ways Keep Squirrels Out of Your Garden
FAQ
What plants do squirrels hate the most?
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Southern Livinghttps://www.southernliving.com9 Plants That Keep Squirrels Away From Your Garden – Southern LivingSep 14, 2024 — Peppermint, spearmint, and other scented plants in the mint family will repel not only squirrels but other rodents as well. Add perennial mint plant…
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Terminixhttps://www.terminix.comPlants That May Help Repel Squirrels From Homes & GardensWhat plants and scents deter squirrels? Alliums in the form of flowers, or garlic, scallions and onions produce a strong odor that squirrels may avoid. Daffodil…
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Critter Stophttps://critterstop.comAre There Plants That Repel Squirrels? – Critter StopWhat are some types of flowers that squirrels won’t eat? To deter squirrels, you can incorporate certain plants into your garden that are generally not appealin…
How do you keep squirrels out of potted plants?
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Chicken Wire or Mesh:Create a cylinder of chicken wire or fine mesh just inside the lip of the pot, extending at least 2 feet above the rim.
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Hardware Cloth:Use hardware cloth, a roll of mesh, to cover individual plants or sections of the garden.
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Plastic Fencing:Use plastic netting or fencing to cover potted plants, especially during the off-season.
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Mulch:A thick layer of mulch can deter squirrels and also benefit your plants.
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Rocks:A layer of rocks on top of the soil might discourage digging, but be mindful of heat buildup, according to Gardening Know How.
Do coffee grounds keep squirrels away?
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Strong Smell:Squirrels have a keen sense of smell, and the strong aroma of coffee grounds is generally unpleasant to them, deterring them from exploring or foraging in areas where they are present.
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Abrasive Texture:The coarse texture of coffee grounds can be uncomfortable for squirrels to walk or dig through, further discouraging them from entering the area.
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How to use:Simply sprinkle fresh coffee grounds around your garden, flower pots, or bird feeders to deter squirrels.
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Considerations:While coffee grounds can be a helpful deterrent, they may not be a complete solution and may need to be combined with other methods or used in conjunction with physical barriers for more effective protection.
Will geraniums keep squirrels away?
Geraniums are another flowering plant relied upon by gardners to deter wildlife, including squirrels. Unfortunately, these plants don’t love the Dallas heat, so they do best if planted in the early spring to protect your garden’s seedlings from destruction by squirrels and other wildlife.