How do you guys keep the squirrels out of your pots? This past summer I almost gave up. I tried the chile pepper, garlic, over the counter deer deterent. Nothing worked for very long. I had the best luck with chile, but they got used to it or something. Maybe the developed a taste for it.
Anyone got any solutions that works? I want to get a jump on these pesty critters, and yes they are cute but not that cute. lol
Linda
Squirrels destroying my container plants
Linda
I keep mine off with the red pepper. But I also grow in earthboxes
and they have a plastic cover over them and around the plants.
It also helps to have a big dog that loves to chase squirrels and
chipmonks however she never catches them.
Annie
I used to put bird netting over the top of the soil, that would keep them from digging in it.
Thanks for the ideas. My biggest problem is with the hanging baskets. They dig up the plants, bury walnuts, make a big mess and destory the baskets. They use the linning for their nests. Really destroy the baskets. I'm about to give up. Maybe if I put moth balls in the baskets. I heard that works but hesitate to use them.
Linda
Mulching with lava rock is the only thing I have had any luck with...
Dennis
I read that if you put crushed oyster shell in the baskets or near the bulbs it hurts their teeth and they will not dig there.
I am using red chili pepper from the East Indian grocery (got a huge bag for $4) and am planting Alliums and/or garlic bulbs with the better bulbs and in most of my containers- I better put some in the pots, too. I will bet that once they get used to that coir for their nests there will be no stopping them.. I will let you know what happens. Also have a backyard dog, so used chili more heavily in the front.
Lorie in Columbia SC
I have had great success foiling critters attacking newly planted beds and containers by sprinkling surface with crushed red pepper flakes (not powder) bought in bulk @ Sams Club. I've used pepper flakes that have sat, closed, in my garden shed for a year or more & they are still effective. If I forget to sprinkle on the peppers, I know the next morning because plants are dug out of beds and containers are often totally destroyed with everything dumped on the deck. I place the flakes on top of the mulch in a bed and only have to renew if I've added more plants. I also use crushed pepper flakes in some bird feeders that are not stout enough to take the weight of a marauding squirrel.
ct