Avoiding squirrel-attracting plants and opting for squirrel-repellent alternatives, as recommended by experts, for maintaining a squirrel-free garden.
Squirrels are a common sight in many gardens, drawn to the high energy content and enticing scents of various plants. Understanding which plants attract these furry creatures can help gardeners make more informed choices and select alternatives that are less appealing.
**Plants That Attract Squirrels**
Sunflowers, ripe fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and bulbs are among the plants that squirrels find irresistible. Sunflowers seeds are a major draw due to their high energy content, while sweet berries, tomatoes, squash, and corn are targeted just as they ripen. Plants or feeders that offer sunflower seeds, peanuts, or other nuts are highly attractive to squirrels. Spring-flowering bulbs like tulips and crocuses are favorites, as squirrels dig them up in the fall for food. Tender young plants, especially leafy greens, are also vulnerable, particularly when other food sources are scarce.
**Less Appealing Alternatives and Repellent Options**
Gardeners can replace highly attractive plants with alternatives that offer similar visual appeal but are less inviting to squirrels. Instead of sunflowers, plant marigolds or nasturtiums. Both provide bright color, a pungent scent that repels squirrels and insects, and are less attractive to squirrels. Interplanting alliums, daffodils, or mint around more vulnerable crops can help protect them. Mint and similar herbs can deter squirrels with their strong scent. Lavender, alliums, and hyacinths are generally less appealing to squirrels and can be mixed into garden beds to reduce overall attractiveness.
**Summary Table**
| Attractive to Squirrels | Less Appealing Alternatives | |-----------------------------|----------------------------------| | Sunflowers | Marigolds, Nasturtiums | | Tomatoes, Berries, Corn | (Interplant with alliums, daffodils, or mint) | | Tulips, Crocuses (bulbs) | (Plant daffodils, alliums nearby)| | Birdseed/Nuts | (Use squirrel-proof feeders, avoid sunflowers)|
By selecting and interplanting with the alternatives listed above, gardeners can maintain a vibrant, colorful garden while reducing its attractiveness to squirrels.
Nut-bearing trees like oak, pecan, walnut, and hickory attract squirrels due to their energy-rich nuts. Squirrels also love mulberry trees due to their delicious berries and high moisture content. On the other hand, blackberries are a good substitute as their thorny branches act as a good deterrent for squirrels. Bulbs, particularly tulips and crocuses, are favorites among squirrels, and it's important to note that bulbs are toxic to pets. Using fruit trees with thorns is the best deterrent for squirrels to keep them from stealing fruit.
Nicole Carpenter, the president of Black Pest Prevention, a North Carolina-based company serving both North and South Carolina, recommends marigolds and alliums for their taste and smell unappealing to squirrels. She has decades of field knowledge and leadership in the pest control industry. Geraniums, particularly scented ones like pelargonium "Citronella", are a good deterrent for squirrels in gardens. Using sturdy garden netting, cloches, and motion-activated sprinklers can also help keep squirrels away from homegrown crops. Zinnias, cosmos, or Shasta daisies are good alternatives for vibrant blooms without squirrel appeal.
By making informed choices and implementing these strategies, gardeners can create a squirrel-resistant garden that still offers a beautiful display of flowers and plants.
- While sunflowers, tulips, and crocuses attract squirrels due to their high energy content or being dug up for food, gardening with alternatives like marigolds, nasturtiums, alliums, daffodils, or mint can help create a less inviting garden for these furry creatures.
- Instead of opting for nut-bearing trees like oak, pecan, walnut, or hickory that are favored by squirrels, gardeners can choose blackberries as a substitute due to their thorny branches acting as a deterrent for squirrels.
