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5 Tricks for Keeping Squirrels Out of Your Flower Pots

Last Updated: Mar 13, 2024
By: Garden Gate Review Team
Provide Alternatives to Flower Pots
View all Contents
  • Identify the Problem
  • Exclusion Tactics
  • Discourage Squirrels from Returning
  • Provide Alternatives to Flower Pots
  • Coexist With Squirrels

Squirrels can be the bane of a gardener’s existence. They are persistent and determined, and no matter how hard you try, they always seem to find a way into your flower pots. They can also be detrimental to your flowers and their growth. If you’re looking to find a solution to this problem, here are five proven tricks for keeping squirrels out of your flower pots. We’ll go over everything, including natural remedies, repellents, and fencing. With these simple tips, you’ll be enjoying squirrel-free flowers in no time. We’ll help you take back control of your garden and keep those pesky critters out.

Identify the Problem

Your first step should be to identify the type of animal that is creating the problem in your garden. Many people automatically assume it’s squirrels, but depending on your particular area, you may also have chipmunks, mice, or other rodents. If there are signs of chewing on flowers or foliage, it could be a sign that some kind of creature is visiting your garden. Observe the area and note any animal sightings you may have, so you can gear the solutions toward the specific kind of creature causing the trouble in your garden.

Exclusion Tactics

Once you’ve established that squirrels are causing trouble in your flower pots, you can employ several exclusion tactics to help keep them away from your blooms. As squirrels love to climb trees, one option is to use netting or bird wire over your classic flower pots. You can also create physical barriers in your flower pots, such as stones and rocks. These barriers will make it more difficult for squirrels to dig and reach plant roots without making it difficult for water to drain properly.

Discourage Squirrels from Returning

If a squirrel has been feasting on your flowers, chances are it will come back for more. One solution is to spray a mixture of water and hot pepper around the soil in the flower pot. The sharp scent and spicy taste of hot peppers will ward off animals looking for food. You can also spread coffee grounds or sprinkle commercial repellents around your flowers. These products offer sensible solutions without harm to plants or animals in the process.

Provide Alternatives to Flower Pots

In addition to physical barriers, another popular way to keep animals from raiding plant roots is by providing alternative sources of food. Consider putting up bird feeders in an alternate location that is further away from your traditional flower pots. You can also provide animal-friendly snacks like fruits, nuts, or carbohydrate-rich grains like oats as a way of bribing visiting animals away from flower pots and into another part of your yard.

Coexist With Squirrels

If all else fails and these exclusion tactics seem ineffective at keeping unwanted creatures out of flower pots, there are still ways to coexist peacefully with them in harmony. Instead of coaxing them away completely, try setting aside certain areas of the pot for the squirrel to eat in. This method allows them access to specific parts of traditional flower pots without having them feast on all of it.

The five tricks outlined in this article are surefire ways to help you keep squirrels out of flower pots without resorting to more harmful methods like poisons and traps. Even if you’ve tried everything and are still having trouble, remember that it is still possible to coexist peacefully with these clever critters. With patience and ingenuity, you can turn your garden into an area where humans and animals alike can thrive and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Article Contributors

Garden Gate Review Team

The Garden Gate Review Team is a group of writers, editors, and gardeners, dedicated towards writing trustworthy product reviews that'll help you choose the best products for a beautiful garden and backyard.

Garden Gate is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Artificial Intelligence (large language models) may have been used in the research and creation of the content.

Please reach out to aimperiapt@gmail.com with any questions regarding product testing or specific articles.

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