How do I keep squirrels out of my garden?
Block access and protect plants
Squirrels climb and dig, so barriers need to be tall and sturdy. For raised beds, line the bottom with hardware cloth and use row covers or netting over crops. For trees, wrap the trunk with a smooth metal collar at least 2 feet wide, placed 6 feet off the ground.
If you feed birds, use a baffle on the pole and a squirrel-proof feeder. Squirrels will also raid compost piles and garbage cans, so secure those with bungee cords or locking lids.
- Hardware cloth under raised beds
- Row covers or netting over vegetables
- Metal tree trunk wraps (2 ft wide, 6 ft high)
- Squirrel baffles on bird feeder poles
Use repellents and scare tactics
Commercial repellents containing capsaicin (hot pepper), garlic, or predator urine can work temporarily. Spray or sprinkle according to label directions, and reapply after rain or every few days. Homemade sprays with hot sauce and water are a common DIY option.
Scare devices like motion-activated sprinklers or reflective tape may help for a short time. Squirrels habituate quickly, so change tactics every week or two. Ultrasonic devices have mixed results and often don't bother squirrels.
- Capsaicin or garlic sprays (reapply after rain)
- Motion-activated sprinklers
- Reflective tape or pinwheels (rotate often)
- Predator urine granules around borders
Remove temptations and choose resistant plants
Squirrels eat tulip bulbs, fruit, nuts, and seeds. Plant daffodils instead of tulips, and harvest fruit as soon as it ripens. Keep fallen fruit picked up. If you have a bird feeder, use safflower seeds, which squirrels dislike.
Some gardeners plant extra crops as a sacrifice or grow prickly plants like squash or cucumbers around vulnerable ones. No plant is completely squirrel-proof, but strong-smelling herbs like mint or garlic may help slightly.
- Plant daffodils instead of tulips
- Harvest fruit early and clean up drops
- Use safflower seed in bird feeders
- Try prickly or strong-smelling companion plants
Common mistakes
- Relying on a single repellent—squirrels get used to it quickly.
- Using ultrasonic devices, which most squirrels ignore.
- Leaving bird feeders or compost accessible, which attracts squirrels no matter what else you do.
