11 Simple, Humane Methods to Keep Squirrels Out of a Garden

Squirrels love food and will consider almost anything in a garden as such. They are notorious for loving acorns, but squirrels aren’t picky rodents—the little critters will eat veggies in your vegetable garden, flowers, flower bulbs, and any birdseed you might scatter around your lawn, yard, or garden. Even things like household trash might attract squirrels to your property.

For many gardeners, keeping squirrels out of their gardens is a priority. Learn when squirrels are actually in your garden and recognize squirrel damage before you decide to take action. Here are some tell-tale signs of squirrels in your garden.

1. 1. Absent crops: If there are continuously missing crops from your plants, the chances are good that a squirrel got to them before you had time to harvest the crops. This can be common with tomatoes, cucumbers, berries, lettuces, and others. Once you notice nibbling on any leaves or the crops themselves, there’s still time to implement repellents.
2. 2. Bulb damage: Squirrels' food sources come from nature, and they don’t know the difference between food that falls from trees and food grown by homeowners in a garden. Squirrels will dig up planted bulbs in the spring or fall—not only for the food but also to create hiding spots for other foods they’ve collected.
3. 3. Missing bird food: Squirrels are rodent scavengers. They investigate any potential food source, including the seeds in bird feeders. Squirrels love sunflower seeds, which are common in bird feed. Not only will squirrels eat what falls to the ground, but they also climb up something to get onto the actual bird feeder and eat from it.
4. 4. Soil or mulch disruption: Squirrels love to dig up the soil and mulch in garden beds and pots, so if you see this in your garden, it’s a possible sign of a squirrel infestation. Protect the roots and implement one of the many natural ways to repel squirrels.

There are plenty of humane ways, including natural ways, to get rid of squirrels. Here are some techniques that are effective and non-toxic for remedying a squirrel problem without physically harming them:

1. 1. Add hot peppers. Squirrels hate the smell and taste of the capsaicin in hot peppers. Use this natural squirrel repellent to your advantage by sprinkling some cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or chili pepper flakes on top of the soil. Alternatively, grow hot chili peppers—the squirrels won’t touch the plant.
2. 2. Cover the gardens. Squirrel-proof gardens by installing row covers, bird netting, or chicken wire, or line the bottom soil with hardware cloth. All of these options will protect the plants from squirrels while still allowing for sunlight and easy watering.
3. 3. Create squirrel-proof bird feeders. You can squirrel-proof bird feeders by switching out the feed. Squirrels love sunflower seeds but hate safflower seeds, meaning that switch will prove beneficial. Install a squirrel baffle (a special cone) to keep squirrels from the bird feeder, as a baffle creates a barrier the squirrel can’t get past.
4. 4. Get a decoy. Plastic or resin owls or rubber snakes in the garden scare away squirrels and prevent them from getting close to the gardens. Move them every day and add some type of noisemakers to the decoys if possible.
5. 5. Install motion-sensor sprinklers. Squirrels are notoriously skittish. Try installing a few motion-sensor sprinklers by your garden to startle a squirrel if it gets too close. Once this happens a few times, the squirrel will likely avoid the area altogether.
6. 6. Plant squirrel-repelling flowers. Plant allium flowers like daffodils, snowdrops, and hyacinths, as well as marigolds to naturally keep away squirrels, which dislike allium plants. Tulips, crocuses, and geraniums attract squirrels, so avoid planting those.
7. 7. Remove trash. Create disinterest in your property by keeping a tight lid on trash cans and not leaving food out or other waste exposed. The smell of the food and trash attracts squirrels and encourages them to hunt for other nearby food sources.
8. 8. Stock up on peppermint oil. Peppermint oil isn’t harmful to plants or squirrels but keeps the squirrels away from your plants. Sprinkle some of the essential oil on the plant leaves and in the soil. Or mix peppermint oil with petroleum jelly and rub the stalks of plants with the mixture to keep squirrels away.
9. 9. Try a commercial repellent. Home improvement and gardening stores sell repellent spray made with the urine of squirrel’s predators—hawks, weasels, raccoons, snakes, owls, foxes, and more. Spray the garden area regularly with the repellent to keep the squirrels at bay.
10. 10. Use apple cider vinegar. You can make a DIY repellent concoction with apple cider vinegar. Pour some in a spray bottle with peppermint oil or cayenne pepper and spray it near your plants or wherever you want squirrels to detect the unpleasant scent. The more scent deterrents in the mix the better.

While some use mothballs to deter pests, it is not a solution for keeping squirrels out of your garden. The product is harmful to plants, animals, and the environment when used outside.

Not all squirrel deterrents are humane or non-toxic to squirrels. Peanut butter might seem like a good idea, but it is harmful to squirrels in large quantities. Squirrel traps are also dangerous, and there are many downsides to using them, especially live traps. Squirrels are easily excited, and if they become trapped with no way out, they can cause even more property damage. While there are trap-and-release traps on the market, they often still present a high risk of harm.

Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described "Gangster Gardener." Get the MasterClass Annual Membership and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.