How to Keep Squirrels from Digging Up Your Garden

Protect your garden from squirrels by using physical barriers like mesh or chicken wire, applying natural deterrents like cayenne pepper, and removing food sources that attract them.

1. Mesh Out the Problem. Cover newly planted bulbs and seedbeds with hardware cloth or chicken wire. Cut pieces slightly larger than the planted area and secure with landscape staples or small rocks. The mesh should sit directly on the soil surface or slightly above it. Remove barriers once plants are established and less appealing to squirrels.
2. Burn Their Route. Mix cayenne pepper with water in a spray bottle, using about 2 tablespoons per quart of water. Spray this solution directly on soil around vulnerable plants and reapply after rain. Alternatively, sprinkle dried cayenne pepper, black pepper, or crushed red pepper flakes directly onto the soil surface.
3. Make It Smell Wrong. Collect human hair from hairbrushes and scatter it around garden beds. The scent deters squirrels without harming plants. You can also grate bar soap and sprinkle the shavings around plants, or hang soap bars from stakes throughout the garden.
4. Eliminate the Invitation. Clean up fallen fruits and nuts immediately. Move bird feeders at least 10 feet away from garden beds, or switch to safflower seeds which squirrels typically avoid. Keep compost bins tightly covered and avoid composting fruit scraps near garden areas.
5. Choose Plants They'll Skip. Replace vulnerable plants with varieties squirrels typically ignore. Choose daffodils instead of tulips, marigolds instead of petunias, and herbs like mint, rosemary, and thyme. Squirrels also tend to avoid plants with strong scents or fuzzy leaves.
6. Give Them a Playground. Designate a corner of your yard as a squirrel zone by loosening soil and burying a few peanuts or sunflower seeds. This gives squirrels an acceptable place to dig while protecting your main garden beds. Refresh the buried treats weekly.