Squirrels will often dig up fresh seedlings. If you plant seeds in your garden, check the site(s) regularly for several days afterward.
If you find that your shoots are disappearing, you likely have a rabbit problem. Rabbits almost always graze close to the ground. Unlike squirrels, they prefer tender young shoots. They will also leave a clean break when they eat a plant. [3] X Research source
Lemon rinds, orange rinds, and coffee grounds all work as effective repellents. Human hair can also work, as squirrels generally do not like the smell of humans. Coffee grounds can also stop squirrels from digging.
If you don’t want a dog or cat, you can purchase wolf urine to spray around your garden. The smell should keep most small animals away.
Squirrels are a protected species in many states. That means that trapping them alive without the appropriate game permits may leave you vulnerable to stiff legal penalties. [6] X Research source If you want to trap squirrels, it’s best to hire a wildlife control operator. Don’t poison squirrels. It is illegal to poison wildlife in many states. If you poison a squirrel, other animals (including your family pet) may feed on the dead squirrel and become sick. [7] X Trustworthy Source State of Massachusetts Official website for the State of Massachusetts Go to source
Squirrels especially like to nest in small structures like garden sheds. [9] X Trustworthy Source State of Massachusetts Official website for the State of Massachusetts Go to source Avoid planting sunflowers near these structures if possible.
You will need one bale of chicken wire, wire cutters, small plastic stakes (or PVC pipes), twine or plastic zip ties, and a pair of protective gloves. Shove the stakes or pipes into the ground in a ring around where your seedlings are. Next, arrange the chicken wire so that it forms a fence around your seedlings, with the stakes or pipes as the fence posts. Attach the wire to the stakes or pipes with the twine or zip ties. [11] X Research source If your seedlings are planted in a raised flower bed with sides made from wood, you can stretch a single layer of chicken wire over the top to protect all of the plants in that bed. Use a staple gun to attach the wire to the sides of the bed. The flowers can grow through the wire even if you stretch it directly over the seedling. You can also build a fence around the entire flower bed. [12] X Research source If you don’t want to build a cage or fence yourself, most garden stores sell wire mesh cages designed to protect seedlings and young plants from predators.
Not only can the covers keep squirrels away from sunflowers, but it can help your sunflower head still breathe and prevent mold from forming. If you opt for the brown paper bag and it rains, you may need to replace the bag. You don’t want the bag to rip or tear while on the sunflower head, because that can give squirrels access to the seeds.
If it rains, you will need to reapply the spray or pepper. If you apply the spray or pepper to your sunflower heads, you may need to gently rinse the sunflower seeds once you remove them from the heads. Wait until the seeds are dry before removing them from the sunflower heads, and then rinse the seeds in water. This will eliminate all the hot spice flavoring from the sunflower seeds.
