Gardening & Landscaping
pixieprincss
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How Do You Squirrel-Proof?
We're anticipating having a problem with squirrels in our raised beds of veggies. Any tips, devices, etc?
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Re: How Do You Squirrel-Proof?
did you see the pictures I posted the other day? We used 2 foot tall chicken wire, metal stakes, and zip ties to connect them. We also blocked all the holes under our fence and kicked the bunny nests out of our yard so we haven't seen any in the yard recently.
they ate through the plastic fencing we used last year!
Gretchen Evie, born 7/8/2012 at 35w5d
Gretchen Evie, born 7/8/2012 at 35w5d
I really like what you did, but we think the squirrels will climb up with without a top. As for Mel's pics, our plants will get 2-3 feet tall, so that seems like a HUGE top to make and lift off. So far that is our best idea, but that just seems so huge--4x4x3 feet! I'd love to see someone's example of one that big.
ETA--I suppose I could just make the tops for the tomato and cossack pineapple sections. Isn't that what squirrels are big on and not so much on other things?
From what I've read & my experience, squirrels don't actually want to eat your produce. They want water & sometimes in the dead heat of summer, that juicy tomato is an easy resource. So they take a bite and discard.
I re-use those clamshell containers that strawberries come in to protect the tomatoes (see blog post on Squirrel-Proof the Tomatoes). For the ground cherries, I think netting them might be the best answer. I have a feeling it's teh birds that ate mine last year, not the squirrels. The only other specific crop I take extra care in protecting is the strawberries. Those do have a lid.
You could also provide water for the squirrels when it's really hot & dry. But I'm not sure how you'd do that AND prevent mosquitos from laying eggs in it...
Sounds like everyone has much more mellow squirrels than we do. They take a bite of everything. It is not for water either. I live in Seattle, which doesn't get too hot. My neighbor has water and food for them... which I think is the problem. She tried all sorts of things to keep them out of her bird feeders. They are tight-rope-walking-wire-gnawing wizards. If they are in the habit of coming near your house for food, they take a bite of everything. They will just bite a stalk at the bottom and it ends up killing the plant. They are bad enough on my regular garden. I know I could never grow food. I guess it depends on the temperment of the squirrels in your area. It is easier for me to get organic produce from the farmer's markets.
In my area, I would have to build a mesh garden cage and buy 6 terriers and hire a sniper.
Newlyweds since 2007