#NATURAL SQUIRREL PREDATORS HOW TO#
#NATURAL SQUIRREL PREDATORS PROFESSIONAL#

If the season has been particularly hot and dry, squirrels may steal tomatoes, cucumbers, or other juicy produce from the vine because they’re thirsty.

Additionally, the relocation of wildlife (yes, even squirrels) may be illegal in your area.

This is a losing battle, since the population of squirrels is extremely high in most areas, and moving one will just make room for another! Also, if the animal is a female, there is a high likelihood that you will remove her from babies that depend on her for survival.

Don’t bother trapping and relocating squirrels in the garden.Bird seed is a big one, too keep it indoors or in a chew-proof container in a sheltered location. Make sure you have tight-fitting trash cans and never leave food or compost scraps sitting out. If your yard has more “food,” you’re the party house. Try to avoid attracting squirrels to your property in the first place.If you notice your bird food disappearing rather quickly or piling up beneath your feeder, you may have a squirrel problem. Squirrels will attack not only your gardens, but your bird feeders as well.If conditions have been especially dry, they may also be digging to access the moist soil. Squirrels and chipmunks are known to look for insects or other goodies in containers, and may uproot plants in the process. They love to dig around in your flower pots, too.Their holes tend to be shallow and small (the size of a golf ball). Squirrels relish digging up seeds and young seedlings, especially in your freshly-planted beds.Often, near the moment your crop is ripe, squirrels will steal the entire fruit, especially squash, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and melons.Yes, they’ll take one bite and leave the rest behind! In the food garden, when you see bite marks on soft fruits such as squash, that’s often a sign of a squirrel.Squirrels eat the bulbs and also use the ready-made holes to store their foraged nuts. Spring bulbs snacked on? You’re probably dealing with squirrels, chipmunks, or groundhogs.There are also smaller red squirrels, which are more active and noisy and cause damage in gardens. They have fur that appears gray from a distance and white or light grey underbellies. Their most famous feature is their bushy tail, a luxurious puff of fur used for warmth, communication, and balance. In the garden, the biggest troublemaker is the gray squirrel. The nose of these expert foragers is a tiny but powerful tool in searching for hidden nuts, berries, and bulbs. How did the clever critters find those flower bulbs, anyway? All squirrels have a very keen sense of smell. Gray squirrels stash food by burying it scattered around their territory. They have a significant instinct for hoarding food, which helps them to survive.Īlthough North America is home to several species of squirrels, the suburb-savvy gray squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis, gives gardeners (and people who feed birds) the most grief. They do not hibernate (although they may “lie low” during cold spells), so their underground pantries are vitally important winter warehouses.

Squirrels are especially active in late summer and autumn when they stock up for winter. Though their foraging forays can happen any time of year, a squirrel’s raid at harvest time can drive a gardener nuts.

#NATURAL SQUIRREL PREDATORS PROFESSIONAL#

From Maine to Montana, these wily critters yank geraniums from window boxes, pluck nearly ripe tomatoes from their vines, and strip apple trees like professional pickers. With a fondness for fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers, the common squirrel has long spelled trouble for home gardeners.

#NATURAL SQUIRREL PREDATORS HOW TO#

Here is how to keep squirrels away with natural squirrel-repellent ideas. Squirrels can be entertaining to watch, but it can be very frustrating if they keep digging up your garden plants or take up residence in your garage.

Natural squirrel predators