How do I stop squirrels digging up my seed & plants

olly300

I recently moved and have a small garden.

I put some grass seed down when I removed a flower bed and came back from work 2 days later to discovered small paw prints at the side and a small hole.

I then filled in the hole about two weeks later and put some more seed down and came back a day later and found more small paw prints and a small hole.

A week later I then planted some seeds in a stone pot. I found a small hole had been dug at the side of the pot.

Two weeks ago I filled in the hole in the grass and the stone pot and nothing was dug up. So last week I planted some seeds and plug plants in 4 different tubs and a hanging basket. I checked them everyday and yesterday discovered that two of the tubs, one with sunflower seeds in it and in the other with plugs plants, had been completely dug up.

I first thought the holes where caused by another animal but as I've seen squirrels running up and down the trees in the area and other fences I have decided it is squirrels.

The question is how do I stop the squirrels digging up where I've planted something new?

IamWHOiSayIam

SQUIRRELS!!! The little !!!!!!s - I've just chased them from my garden, and they're at least 20 in the "gang"!

I was thinking of this just minutes ago so its strange to find a thread about it... I'll be keeping at eye for any decent replies but the only advice I can give is to read this thread I found using a quick search.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/ipm/msg0614461018327.html

olly300

Just spent some time searching seems I should try:
1. Coffee Grounds in a mulch over anything freshly planted
2. Chili Flakes (which don't harm birds as they can't digest them)
3. Garlic Gloves

Right will start with coffee and see what happens.

Jayar

Coffee Grounds, of course - light bulb moment
I had noticed recently that I don't have nearly as much squirrel damage as usual and now I realise that it was when I started to use coffee grounds as a mulch.
Another (fairly extreme) resolution would be to get a cat!

shopaholicsan

I just spotted 3 squirrels playing in my garden and I have 2 cats!!!!
Off to put the coffee on.........

alanobrien

We had that problem until the cat noticed the squirrels, then we had a different problem. i think she has munched her way through most of them by now

Jayar

alanobrien wrote: »

i think she has munched her way through most of them by now

The squirrels?:eek:

alanobrien

Jayar wrote: »

The squirrels?:eek:

Yes unfortunately, at least all the bits she doesnt leave on the back doorstep for us