How To Keep Squirrels Out Of Potted Plants

How to keep squirrels out of potted plants?

If you have a potted plant on your deck, patio, or in your yard, there’s a good chance that you’re dealing with squirrels.

These little critters are relentless when it comes to getting into plants, and they can quickly destroy them.

How To Keep Squirrels Out Of Potted Plants

Put something in the pots that the squirrels won’t like, such as cayenne pepper or citrus peels.

Explain it to a child

A better solution to keep squirrels away from your plants is to take some simple steps to make the pots less appealing to them. For example, you could try sprinkling pepper or cayenne powder around the base of the plants.

You could also try a commercial squirrel deterrent, such as those made of castor oil. Finally, you could try moving the pots closer to your house or to a place where the squirrels don’t have easy access.

How to keep squirrels out of potted plants 

A better solution is to take some simple steps to make the pots less appealing to squirrels like putting something in the pots that the squirrels won’t like.

squirrel behavior studies
  • For example, you could try sprinkling pepper or cayenne powder around the base of the plants.
  • Another option is to lay down a layer of chicken wire on top of the soil.

This will deter squirrels from digging in the pots, but it’s important to make sure that the wire is buried deep enough that it doesn’t damage the roots of the plants.

11 Quick Tips for Naturally Keeping Squirrels out of Potted Plants:

  1. Use hanging baskets or elevated planters that squirrels cannot reach. Elevate pots at least 3 feet off the ground.
  2. Apply hot pepper spray or hot pepper powder onto the soil. Squirrels dislike spicy smells.
  3. Place chicken wire over the soil and around plant stems to block digging.
  4. Use deterrent smells like vinegar, garlic, or ammonia around the pot rims. You can also try squirrel repellent sprays.
  5. Add a physical barrier like pine cones or large pebbles to make digging more difficult.
  6. Scatter fresh citrus peels around pots – squirrels dislike strong citrus odors.
  7. Plant marigolds, nasturtiums or geraniums in pots – squirrels tend to avoid these.
  8. Provide an alternative food source away from plants, like corn cobs or peanuts.
  9. Use scare devices like fake snakes, owls or flashing lights. Move them around periodically.
  10. Apply ‘anti-squirrel’ bittering agents to soil or plant leaves.
  11. Keep pets like dogs and cats around to scare off squirrels from the area.

The key is making the pots unattractive and inconvenient for squirrels.

A combination of deterrent smells, physical barriers and scare devices works best to protect potted plants.

How do you make homemade squirrel repellent?

There are several ways to make your own homemade squirrel repellent using ingredients that you probably already have around the house.

  1. One popular method is to mix equal parts cayenne pepper and water in a spray bottle and mist the plants liberally.
  2. The sharp scent of the pepper will deter squirrels without harming them. Another option is to sprinkle used coffee grounds around the perimeter of your garden.
  3. The strong smell of coffee is also unpleasant to squirrels, and they will typically stay away from areas that have been treated with this natural repellent.
  4. Finally, placing plastic owls or plastic snakes in your garden can also help to keep squirrels at bay.

The sights and sounds of these predators will make squirrels think twice before venturing into your garden.

With a little ingenuity, you can easily deter these pesky squirrel pests.

How do I keep squirrels out of potted plants naturally?

methods to keep squirrels out of plant potters

There are a few natural ways to keep squirrels out of your potted plants.

  1. One of the best methods is to encircle the pots with chicken wire.
  2. The holes in the wire should be small enough that the squirrels can’t squeeze through, but big enough that they can’t reach in and steal your plants.
  3. You can also try sprinkling cayenne pepper or crushed garlic around the plants.
  4. The strong smell will deter squirrels from getting too close.
  5. Finally, placing some sticks or rocks in the pot will make it more difficult for squirrels to dig up your plants.

By following these simple tips, you can keep your potted plants safe from pesky squirrels.

Why keeping squirrels out of your plants is important 

Squirrels are one of the most common pests in many gardens and landscapes.

11 Tips for naturally keeping squirrels out of potted plants

While they may appear to be cute and harmless, these rodents can cause a great deal of damage to your plants.

Squirrels are known to dig up bulbs and roots, strip bark from trees, and eat fruits and nuts before they are ripe.

  • In addition, they can also carry diseases that can be harmful to plants.
  • As a result, it is important to take steps to keep squirrels out of your garden. One way to do this is to erect a fence around the perimeter of your garden.
  • Another way is to use squirrel-resistant bird feeders that make it difficult for them to access food.
By taking these measures, you can help protect your plants from the damage that squirrels can cause.

Additional tips and tricks for keeping squirrels out of your potted plants

If you’re like most gardeners, you’ve probably had your fair share of battles with squirrels.

These pesky critters seem to have an innate ability to find the weakest point in your defenses, and they will stop at nothing to get to your plants.

While there are a variety of commercial repellents available, these can be costly and may not be completely effective.

Luckily, there are a few simple tips and tricks that can help keep squirrels out of your potted plants.

One of the best ways to deter squirrels is to make your plants less appealing to them.

This can be done by adding a layer of sharp gravel or stones around the base of the plant.

Squirrels don’t like walking on sharp objects, so this will deter them from getting too close.

Another effective method is to spray your plants with a mixture of water and vinegar.

The vinegar smell will repel squirrels, and the water will help keep the plants hydrated.

Finally, you can also place chicken wire or hardware cloth around the perimeter of your pots.

This will create a physical barrier that squirrels won’t be able to breach. By following these simple tips, you can protect your potted plants from pesky squirrels.

With a little effort, it is possible to keep squirrels out of potted plants without resorting to harmful traps or chemicals.


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