Are you planning or planting your vegetable garden this year and need a way to keep pesky squirrels out of your raised garden beds so they can’t go digging for seeds or eat growing plants? In this post is an easy and inexpensive DIY solution for you. It will keep squirrels, as well as other predators like birds and deer out of your vegetable garden without harming them.
In my mind, I would have loved a garden house like this, but I had to be realistic.
Instead we created a very functional and easy to access kitchen garden using 4 elevated garden beds that I stained, two metal arches and 4 round barrel-style planters. We covered the area with a layer of pine straw mulch.
We had some growing successes – a few varieties of kale, carrots, and lettuce. But a few fails as the summer went on that we mainly attributed to squirrels burying their nuts and looking for seeds as well as birds making their meals out of the garden.
Since the planters are elevated – we didn’t have any rodents, mice, or moles which is a good thing.
This year we had to come up with an easy way to protect the elevated garden beds from the squirrels and birds. We needed physical barriers over the entire raised bed, not the individual plants. We didn’t want to use a chemical spray or natural squirrel repellents that would have to be resprayed often.
We also didn’t think a motion-activated sprinkler, fence or noisemakers made out of aluminum foil or shiny discs would deter them for the long run.
After doing some research, I liked what an Australian gardener I found on YouTube did to deter pests from getting in his raised garden beds.
We didn’t create the barriers for the raised planters exactly the same way he did, but came pretty close
Squirrels can be a real nuisance in the garden. As cute as they are, their digging and nibbling habits can quickly destroy your carefully planted garden beds. If you’ve had problems with squirrels invading your vegetable patches or flower beds, there are several proven methods to safely and humanely keep them out.
Why Squirrels Invade Gardens
Squirrels have adapted well to living close to humans. They are highly intelligent creatures with excellent memories. Once a squirrel finds a good source of food in your garden, they will continue to return again and again. Seeds, seedlings, bulbs, ripening vegetables and fruits are all attractive food sources. Squirrels will also dig up freshly worked soil in search of buried seeds or insects.
Some of the biggest garden pests include:
- Eastern gray squirrels
- Fox squirrels
- Red squirrels
- Ground squirrels like chipmunks
Squirrels are agile and can jump and climb, so raised garden beds offer no protection. They are also resourceful problem solvers, so no single technique will keep them out permanently. You need to use multiple deterrents and change things up occasionally to outsmart these clever critters.
Physical Barriers
Physical barriers that prevent access are the most reliable squirrel deterrents. However, they can be tedious to install and maintain.
Row Covers
Lightweight spun fabric row covers are very effective but can impact plant growth by reducing light and airflow Use the lightest “floating” covers and drape loosely over hoops for good results. Ensure covers are securely anchored
Wire Mesh
1/2″ hardware cloth or chicken wire wrapped around beds creates a protective cage Bury edges 6 inches deep to prevent digging underneath Effective but allows very limited access for planting and harvesting.
Netting
Plastic bird netting draped over beds provides a good barrier while allowing easy access. Ensure it is pulled taut with no loose areas to become trapped. Look for squirrel-resistant netting made of stronger materials.
Natural Repellents
Natural scents and substances that squirrels find unpleasant or dangerous can be used to deter them. Avoid spraying anything directly on plant foliage that could cause damage.
Hot Pepper
Cayenne pepper, chili oil, Tabasco sauce and commercial hot pepper sprays create burning sensations that squirrels hate. Spread powdered pepper around beds, or make DIY repellent sprays. Reapply after rain.
Predator Urine
The smell of urine from predators like coyotes, bobcats and foxes triggers squirrels’ natural fear response. Available commercially, but has a very strong, unpleasant odor.
Essential Oils
Oils like peppermint, tea tree, garlic and citrus oil repel squirrels when applied around the garden perimeter. Avoid direct contact with plant leaves.
Repellent Plants
Intersperse strong scented flowers and herbs like lilies, daffodils, lavender, oregano, garlic and onions among vegetables and ornamentals.
Scare Tactics
It’s possible to frighten squirrels away, at least temporarily. Tactics like decoys, noises and water scare them but need frequent changing up.
Predator Decoys
Lifelike plastic owls, hawks, snakes and cats are scary to squirrels. But they learn decoys are harmless so must be moved frequently.
Noisemakers
Banging pots, clapper devices, ultrasonic repellers and rattling aluminum pie pans may frighten squirrels at first. Use intermittently and combine with other deterrents.
Water Spray
Squirting invading squirrels with a hose or motion activated sprinkler delivers an unpleasant shock. A reliable battery operated sprinkler is ideal for consistent training.
Dogs & Cats
Your pet dog or cat may give squirrels a good scare and chase them away. But don’t allow pets access to dig up your garden. Their presence is better than nothing.
Take Preventive Measures
Good garden maintenance and smart planting can make your beds less tempting to squirrels in the first place.
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Keep garden areas neat and tidy with minimal hiding spots
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Plant more squirrel resistant flowers like daffodils and herbs
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Harvest vegetables as soon as they ripen
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Remove dropped fruits and nuts promptly
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Provide an alternative food source away from garden
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Use drip or underground irrigation to avoid pools of water
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Apply mulch to limit bare soil areas for digging
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Set up feeders and houses to encourage squirrel predators like hawks and owls
Final Thoughts
Living with nature invariably brings some wildlife challenges. A multi pronged strategy is needed to outwit intelligent squirrels and protect your garden investments. Persistence, adaptability and compassion for the animals themselves will help you determine the best humane solutions. With some clever deterrents, watchful harvest practices and smart garden design, you can enjoy your garden oasis without squirrel worries.
How to Make a Raised Garden Bed Squirrel Proof
To keep squirrels and other critters out of the raised beds, we used a few items from the home improvement store.
It took Ed and me about an hour to squirrel proof planters and keep the garden planters from becoming bird feeders again this year.
- 4-ft Bamboo stakes – we used 7 cut sections for each elevated bed.
- Drip irrigation hose or soaker house with no ends – I used this brown hose to match my elevated planters.
- Squirrel netting for garden, plastic bird netting or chicken wire.
- 4″ Plastic spring clamps
- Sharp craft knife or cutting shears
- Cable ties or twist ties
- Hacksaw or power saw
Time needed: 1 hour and 30 minutes
How to Keep Squirrels Out of Raised Beds
- Measure Raised Beds or Planter To figure out how many hoops and how much netting or chicken wire you will need, measure the width and depth of the garden bed. Also consider how tall you want each hoop to be so tall growing vegetables will have plenty of space to grow. We cut the hose into 6-ft long sections which made the hoop 30-inches high.
- Cut Bamboo Stakes Using a hacksaw, cut the stakes to the size needed.
- Place Cut Stakes in Planter Place one stake vertically in each corner of the planter and one spaced along the center outer edge on each side of the planter.
- Place Hose Over Bamboo Stakes to Create Hoops Place one end of the cut to length hose over a bamboo stake and the the other end over the stake across the planter from it. Repeat for the other stakes. Each bamboo stake will be covered by the hose.
- Attach Top Stake Using cable or twist ties – attach another stake horizontally across the top of the hoops. Cut excess tie away.
- Cut Squirrel Netting Cut the squirrel or bird netting to the size needed to drape over the hoops and long enough to fall just past the top of the planter.
- Pull Netting Taut Pull the netting taut to each side and the ends of the planter. You may have to bunch or twist the excess netting together to create a taut fit. Use spring clamps to hold the netting taut and in place. Keeping the netting taut will eliminate birds getting stuck in the netting.Note: There is better netting than what we used that is safer for birds. You can find it in the resources section at the end of this post.
When pulling the netting taut, the hoops may lean, but that doesn’t effect the functionality of the protective barrier.
How to Squirrel Proof Tomato Cages
We also had to build squirrel proof tomato cages that would not only keep them out, but their bird pals also.
We cut hardware cloth to size and wrapped it around the inside diameter of the barrel planters. In the planter is one tomato plant surrounded by a tomato cage for it to grow on.
We still are deciding on cutting circles from the hardware cloth to place on top as a lid and then use the tips of the wire to attach to the vertical hardware cloth. We could also cover with bird netting and clamp it taut.
Do you have a vegetable garden? How do you keep birds and squirrels out of your garden?
Squirrel Proof Raised Bed Garden Covers for Tomato Plants – 1 year update
FAQ
How to squirrel proof a garden bed?
Secure Small Areas. Netting, fencing, or even burlap covers can provide shelter and protection for smaller spaces and raised garden beds.Mar 12, 2024
Do coffee grounds really repel squirrels?
Coffee grounds have a pungent smell that squirrels hate. Instead of pitching them, you can use your grounds in several ways. You can sprinkle them around your yard, in trees, or in other areas where squirrels are active.
What is the best squirrel deterrent for gardens?
Consider spreading cayenne pepper, ground chili peppers, or pepper flakes around your blooming plants to deter these critters. Peppermint Oil: The idea behind using peppermint oil is that the scent will be unpleasant to squirrels and will discourage them from coming into the area.
What smell do squirrels hate the most?
- Peppermint: Spray plants with water and then sprinkle with peppermint oil.
- Coffee: Sprinkle coffee grounds around your garden.
- Garlic: Place diced garlic cloves around the edges of your home or garden.
- Cayenne pepper: Sprinkle cayenne pepper around plants in your garden.
- Cinnamon: Sprinkle cinnamon grounds around your garden.
- Apple cider vinegar: Soak a rag with apple cider vinegar and place it in areas you want to address.