Squirrels can be charming to watch, but when they start noticing the fruit, smelling the flowers, and invading your garden, they can cause significant damage to plants, flowers, and vegetables. Understanding why you should stop squirrels from coming into your yard is crucial to maintaining a healthy and thriving garden. Here are some effective strategies to keep these persistent critters at bay.
Why Should You Stop Squirrels from Coming Into Your Yard?
Squirrels can be incredibly destructive to gardens. They dig up bulbs, eat seeds and young plants, and can damage trees by stripping bark. Their constant digging can also disrupt your plants’ root systems, leading to weakened or dead vegetation. Preventing squirrels from entering your garden is essential to protecting your hard work and ensuring your garden remains beautiful and productive. Additionally, squirrels attracted to your garden can sometimes find their way into your home. To help keep your home rodent-free, it is important to keep your garden protected as well.
Are Squirrels Dangerous?
While squirrels are not typically dangerous, they can pose some risks. They can carry diseases such as tularemia and leptospirosis, which can be transmitted to humans and pets. Additionally, squirrels may become aggressive if they feel threatened, particularly when protecting their young. Taking steps to keep them away helps minimize these risks and keeps your garden safe for you and your family.
What Keeps Squirrels Away from Garden?
Here are some effective methods to deter squirrels from your garden:
- Physical Barriers: Installing fences or netting around your garden can create a physical barrier that squirrels cannot easily penetrate. Ensure the fencing is buried a few inches underground to prevent squirrels from digging underneath.
- Repellents: Various commercial repellents are available to deter squirrels. Natural repellents such as garlic, hot pepper spray, or peppermint oil can also be effective. Spraying these around your garden creates an unpleasant environment for squirrels.
- Decoys and Deterrents: Decoys like plastic owls or snakes can scare squirrels away. Motion-activated sprinklers or lights can also startle them and discourage them from returning.
- Remove Attractants: Remove any food sources that might attract squirrels. This includes cleaning up fallen fruit, securing trash bins, and using squirrel-proof bird feeders.
- Plant Squirrel-Repellent Plants: Certain plants, such as daffodils, alliums, and marigolds, are known to repel squirrels. Planting these around the perimeter of your garden can help keep squirrels at bay.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your garden stays beautiful and productive without squirrel interference.
If you need professional help safely and humanely ridding your home of critters, our team at WEBBCON has your back!
At WEBBCON, our professional and knowledgeable team is equipped to help you protect your garden from squirrel invasions. We are always on call to address your specific needs and ensure that your garden remains a sanctuary for your plants, not nuisance animals. Contact us today to schedule an inspection or learn more about what we offer!