Every year I plant bulbs and every year the squirrels get fat off of them. I'm planting them in a flowerbed under my front window and it is seperate from the rest of the yard. What can I do to protect my bulbs? They always start digging them up this time of year. Do you think if I feed them they would leave my flowerbed alone??
2007-04-13 06:19:42 · 9 answers · asked by Dra 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
Try sprinkling moth balls or human hair around your flowers beds. By human hair, I mean you can go to a barber shop or hair salon, & ask them if you could have a bag of hair clippings for your garden. No, they won't send for the guys in white coats. Rabbits, squirrels, etc. hate the smell of moth balls & human hair.
2007-04-13 06:26:04 · answer #1 · answered by Shortstuff13 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have the same problem. Tried everything. Doesnt work. The chicken wire is good but the tulips need to grow thru it so it has to have openings large enough for the tulips to grow thru. But then once they grow the squirrels will eat the tulip tops. Once they are forming the bud, spray it with hot sauce diluted with some water. But this must be applied every time it rains. My tulips I planted on the side of my house so I put plastic milk crates so they cant dig holes and destroy all my other plants. It is working great so far. When they are about to bloom, I will remove the crates and spray it with the pepper spray. You could also make chicken wire box that is high enough for the full grown tulip. Both the chicken wire box and the milk crate allow air, water and sun to get to the plant. Daffodils planted around the tulips do also help because they dont like the smell. The books I've read do suggest moth balls, but I tried that and it didnt work--I must have very determined squirrels. Whatever you do, do not feed these squirrels--it will make your situation worse. I've tried cat fur, human hair, kitty litter (used), Irish Spring soap, dish soap. I dont want to hurt them, but I want them away from my plants. I want to try a hose spraying them or a power washer. They are so bold that they stand right in front of me and wont even run away--until I actually chase them. I will win this war with these squirrels.
2007-04-13 12:58:25 · answer #2 · answered by lucy g 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a live trap, bait it with a handfull of sunflowers seeds and dog food, trap the little bastards, then take them across town and dump them in a field.
If you feed them, all you'll get is more squirrels.
You can also put chicken wire over the bulbs. The openings are big enough for the plants to grow through but keep the squirrels away.
2007-04-13 08:08:09 · answer #3 · answered by thegubmint 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can certainly relate. Feeding won't stop them. I read somewhere that if you put some sort of chicken wire over the bulbs when you plant them then cover the wire with remainder of soil that might help. I've never tried it, I hope it works. I usually just find my bulbs all over my garden.
2007-04-14 08:22:14 · answer #4 · answered by Annabelle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DON'T feed the squirrels. This will only multiply the squirrels, feeding the problem. Apply blood meal (garden fertilizer from Home Depot), human hair, and cat hair sheddings around your tulips. Plant more daffodils, because they are poisonous and the rabbits and squirrels will avoid your plantings. Let your cats out too, it helps. Also you can trap the buggers.
2007-04-13 07:03:12 · answer #5 · answered by Emee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have used this before. Go to your local Home Improvement store (Lowe's). Buy some hardware cloth (small wire mesh about 1/4 inch mesh or !/2 inch) Build a box out of the mesh then plant your bulbs in th box in the soil. You will need a metal shear to cut the mesh. Good luck
2007-04-13 06:46:42 · answer #6 · answered by Rod G 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes if you put somthing else out for them it will help with the problem. Then i would buy some chicken wire, but with small openings. I dont think they would enjoy diggin throught the small holes or chewing on the wire. The wire will also be hidding as things continue to grow in your flower beds. Turn all sharp edges under so you wont scratch them or yourself lol. Hope this helps and good luck!
2007-04-13 06:32:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Maybe they are digging something up that they planted in there last summer... Try putting food out for them like dried corn cobs or peanuts in the shell. That will give them something to eat besides your bulbs. They won't bother your bulbs if they have food to eat.
2007-04-13 06:29:07 · answer #8 · answered by Lola 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When you plant your bulbs put in a hand full of permatile and moth crystals.
2007-04-13 06:25:11 · answer #9 · answered by thirsty mind 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋