Squirrel Problem

[satkinson]

Help! The squirrels have decided that they like eating my plants. I long ago realized I just had to live with them constantly digging in my flowerbeds to bury acorns. But, now they are stripping my plants. First they devoured my coneflowers, now they are eating the leaves on my rose bushes and other plants. They have totally stripped some of them.

Does anyone know a solution to this? Will fox urine or anything like that keep them out of my beds. We have dogs that chase them but anytime the dogs are not outside, the squirrels are eating my plants.

[pakin]

Since no one has answered your question, I thought I'd put my $.02 in. I've never heard of squirrels eating plants, usually just acorns and pecans. I'd be concerned about these plant-eating squirrels...but that's just me. Squirrels may eat plants all the time and I'm just now aware of it.

What area are you in? Research advertisers on the Dirt Doctor site for pest control in your area. Good luck!

Pat Akin

[satkinson]

Thanks for the reply, Pat. We live in NW Dallas. I am totally organic. I have not recently done anything different or recently sprayed anything on my plants that would make them newly appealing to squirrels. This is a huge mystery to me and a huge worry. They are litterally stripping some of my plants. I am so frustrated about it...never had a gardening challenge as worrisome as this.

Any other suggestions from anyone?

Thanks,
Steve

[jrosto]

I have lots of squirrels, but they pretty much leave my plants alone. You might want to try a pepper spray. Blend up a bunch of very hot peppers in your blender, strain the liquid and spray it on the leaves of the plants the squirrels are eating. There are commercial products to keep squirrels away, but this is cheaper and should work.

[Mikey]

Garlic (liquid, powder or fresh), maybe in addition to the pepper spray, should help around the base of the plants. Give it a try!!!