heyHow do you keep squirrels, and rabbits OUT of your flower bed??

Question

They are digging the flowers up and theyare eating flowers off the rest of the ones they don't dig out.

we have tried moth balls and even putting human hair around the bed but they continue to cause a problem.

and NO we are not going to kill them.

Answer 1

Humane Ways to Keep Animals Out of the Garden

Does every little furry and feathered creature scurry to your garden patch to eat? That’s great, if that’s what you planted the garden for. If not, here are humane ways to keep them away.

Fencing: If you have rabbits or skunks, encircle the garden with an 18" high wire fence. Bury your fence about 8" below ground as well to deter them from digging beneath. For gophers and squirrels - who like to burrow and eat the roots of vegetables (although ground squirrels will eat just about anything) - bury your fence about a foot below the surface. You’ll also need to bury chicken wire under all the beds and around trees and shrubs. For deer, install fencing at least seven feet high, since they supposedly cannot jump any higher than this unless they have an uphill advantage.

Scarecrows: Owl or snake scarecrows tend to work only temporarily, since animals ultimately catch on when the scarecrow doesn’t move.

Netting: You can drape netting over your garden until the plants are fairly large, well-established, and can handle the occasional nibble from mammals. Some netting can injure birds who get tangled in it, so make sure your deterrents won’t harm other creatures. For example, if you kill insects with poison, you may also kill the butterflies and birds who eat the insects.

Plants: You can also plant vegetation that you know certain animals will not like to eat. Lavender and sage tend to keep squirrels away. And deer don’t care for such plants as calendulas, irises, lavender, basil, marigolds, and fleabane. Check gardening books or call your local extension office for a specific listing of plants that thrive in your area.
Fortify areas that are off limits - Plant areas around garden beds with thorny plants or hedges, such as roses, barberry, pyracantha, holly or gooseberry. These deterrents make great "fences" around areas where you don’t want to erect a real fence.

Provide plants that the "pests" are allowed to eat - Try planting some extra squash or zucchini plants around the edges of your garden. These plants will attract the pests and deter them from raiding the more desired vegetables in the center.

Use the sprinkler - Deter animals from protected areas by having a sprinkler ready. Nothing surprises an unwanted guest more than a spraying of water. Sprinklers are now available with motion detectors, which are great for nighttime guests.

Use repellents - An old trick that still works is to sprinkle ground pepper on plants that animals are nibbling on, or make the following repellent spray. If making a spray is too much trouble, try planting garlic around your favorite plants that hungry rabbits, gophers, squirrels, or voles to nibble on. As an added benefit, many insects are repelled by garlic as well.

Make pests think a predator is after them - Most plant-eating animals, such as rabbits, deer, and squirrels, are prey for some other animal. Dogs, cats and humans are predator animals. If you have a male dog, he probably takes care of this for you by marking his territory. If you don’t have a dog, borrow a friend’s or place kitty litter or hair from your last haircut around the perimeter of your yard. Gardeners who do not have access to a pet can even use human urine to mark out their territories. Using scents works well, but remember that after a while the pests will figure out that a predator isn’t around after all, and will become brave enough to raid your garden. Deer are especially smart at figuring this out. You can avoid this problem by switching between various scents so the pest’s don’t become accustomed to any particular one.

General Purpose Mammal Repellent Spray

* 2 to 4 hot chili peppers (the hotter the better, such as habanero or serrano) or 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
* 4 cloves garlic
* 1 quart water

Mix all ingredients in a blender. Stain and use the mixture in a spray bottle or hand-held sprayer. Be sure to spray again after a rain.

- Nancarrow, Loren and Janet Hogan Taylor. Dead Daisies Make Me Crazy. Ten Speed Press, 2000

Answer 2

ok, i had this problem with squirrels in my attic. they have suirrel friendly cages. go out and get one, they arent too much and if you are trying to be nice and not kill them this really is the best way to go. I took a wad of peanut butter and rolled it with oats placing it in the cage. everytime i set out the cage i would have a squirrel within 24 hours. take the little buggers to a park or uninhabited area and release them back to the wild. Some may run after seeing their caged friends. If they choose not to then just catch them also, they aren't the smartest creatures ever. this technique should work wonders on the rabbits too. no guns, no poison, your flowers are good, everyone is happy

Answer 3

Have tried applying the juice/pulp of grounded Habenero peppers on the foliage of the plants in your beds? This taste is very displeasing to rabbits and squirrels. You can even make a solution with water and spray your beds down with it.

Answer 4

I swear by the marigolds. My immediate fix is Dried Blood. Its high in nitrogen and critters don't like the smell or taste. Peppers are good , but a lot of work. Jalapenos are safer for you and your plants. 1\4 tsp per Gal soap solution is always good for anything.

Answer 5

Rabbits hate marigolds. no joke. They don't go near them. If you can bear, maybe plant some marigolds around the edge of the garden. But i don't know what to do about the squirrels... hey, get a dog! :)

Answer 6

A neighbor swears by a metal owl with glass eyes.

Answer 7

Get a cat and teach it to hang out outside.

Answer 8

did you try putting feeders away from your flowers and rubber snakes work sometimes too

Answer 9

put up a high garden fence

Answer 10

put carrots and accorns on ur niebers yard!!