Squirrels are super cute, right? But when they start treating your garden like their personal buffet, it's not so cute anymore.
So, let's figure out how to keep those little guys from munching on your veggies without being mean to them.
Image credit : pixabay
I'm going to tell you all about how to spot when squirrels are turning your garden into a playground, and I'll share some super cool (and nice) ways to ask them to snack somewhere else.
But first, let's find out how to tell if squirrels are the ones partying in your garden.
(credit: Flickr : Creator: trudy and dave )
Now, you might wonder, "Is it really a squirrel or some other creature?" Squirrel damage is messy and big. Little bugs and other critters make tiny, neat holes.
So, if it looks like a tiny tornado went through your garden, it's probably squirrels. Speaking of squirrels, let's get to know them a bit better.
Squirrels are busy during the day, and they love gardens that have lots of food and soft stuff they can use to make their beds.
In the fall, squirrels are like little shoppers stocking up for winter. That's when they visit gardens the most.
Now that we know when they like to visit, let's talk about how to keep your garden safe.
Clean up your garden so squirrels don't find snacks lying around. This is like making sure there's no candy on the floor so ants don't come marching in.
Some plants are like yucky veggies to kids.
Squirrels don't like garlic or flowers like daffodils. Planting these can be like putting up a "No Trespassing" sign for squirrels.
But what if they still come sniffing around?
Squirrels don't like the smell of peppermint or things that smell like a bigger animal that might chase them. It's like when you smell something icky and don't want to eat it.
If you give squirrels their own spot to eat away from your garden, they might leave your plants alone. It's like having a separate play area so they don't mess up your toys.But sometimes, squirrels need a spicier message to stay away.
Squirrels don't like spicy things. It's like when you eat a pepper and your mouth feels like it's on fire! So, if we sprinkle some spicy stuff around, they'll probably say "No thanks!" and leave.
And if you're wondering how to keep squirrels out of the potted plants, there are some fiery tips for that too!
Giving squirrels food can keep them away from your garden, but it might also invite more squirrels to the party.
It's a tricky choice, like deciding whether to share your cookies with friends who might bring even more friends. Now, let's build some forts for your plants!
You can make little cages with wire to protect your plants, like a mini fort. It's like building a castle around your favorite toys so your little brother can't get them.
You can cover your plants with a net so squirrels can't get to them. Imagine putting a blanket over your snacks so no one can see them. But what about some high-tech help?
Things that move, make noise, or light up can make squirrels run away because they get surprised. It's like turning on the lights and watching the roaches scatter.
We want to scare the squirrels a little, but we don't want to hurt them. It's all about being as nice as possible while saying, "Please don't eat my garden." But remember, we have to play fair.
Catching squirrels and taking them to a new place can make them sad and scared. It's not always allowed, so we have to be careful. It's like being moved to a new school without your best friend.
And if you're looking for the best squirrel trap, make sure it's one that's kind to our furry friends.
Study Shows that Moving squirrels can be tough for them. They might not find food or might miss their squirrel friends.
We have to think about how they feel, too. Now, let's talk about some special tips for those extra-loved plants.
We can use special squirrel proof bird feeders that squirrels can't get into so they don't eat all the birdseed. It's like having a secret code on your phone so your friends can't see your messages.
For plants that squirrels really love, like pumpkins, we can use special tricks to keep them safe. It's like putting your favorite candy at the top shelf where no one can reach it. But what if you're not the only one with a garden?
If you share a garden with other people, you can all work together to keep the squirrels away. It's like all your friends helping you clean up your room so it gets done super fast.
If you and your neighbors work together, you can keep more squirrels away and make more friends! It's like having a neighborhood watch, but for squirrels. And finally, let's wrap this up!
So, we've talked about a bunch of ways to keep your garden safe from squirrels without being mean. Remember, we're all friends here, even the squirrels. Let's keep learning and being kind to all our animal buddies!