The fall season is the perfect time to begin planting bulbs for next spring. You want to get the bulbs in the ground before the first frost so your plantings will be successful. Hopefully, by the springtime, you will be able to enjoy your beautiful garden with the new plantings. However, you may find that squirrels like to get into your garden. Without proper protection, your bulbs planted in the fall will not be able to bloom by next spring. Take a look below to see what you can do to protect your new plantings from squirrels.
Mix Bulb Varieties
Squirrels have a love/hate relationship with bulbs. There are some bulbs that squirrels like to eat. However, Hyacinth and Narcissus are bulbs that make great squirrel deterrents as they hate these kinds of bulbs. By mixing your bulbs with options that squirrels love and hate, you are able to prevent squirrels from digging up your new plantings.
Layered Planting
You can also lower your plant bulbs when placing them in the soil to avoid squirrel attacks. Squirrels will only dig so deep into the ground. The deeper you dig, the lesser chance you have for squirrels to dig up your plantings. However, this will also make it take longer for your plants to bloom.
Red squirrels gathered around a bird feeder
Fake Wildlife Disturbances
Another way to keep squirrels away is to fake like wildlife has disturbed the area. Squirrels will not be attracted to an area that appears disturbed by other wildlife. The squirrel may mistake a pile of leaves or compost for a predator visit or that the bulb has already been eaten. Squirrels are more attracted to fresh excavation so be sure to add a few leaves or compost to your newly planted area.
Avoid Squirrels Near the Home
If you are planting bulbs near your home, you want to avoid squirrels in that area. Be sure to remove any bird feeders that may attract squirrels near to your newly planted bulbs. Look around the yard and see if you have any food sources that might attract squirrels. Avoid providing food sources so squirrels will not be quick to visit your property on a regular basis. This can include cutting back tree branches so squirrels do not find nuts or seeds as well as climb near or around your garden area.
Squirrel nesting and chewed wiring inside a soffit
Water sprinklers with a built in motion sensor can also help to keep squirrels away from certain parts of your property. When the squirrels are detected a blast of water helps to chase them off.
In the worst-case scenario, you will need to contact wildlife control for assistance. With professional help, the squirrels will be removed from your property and preventative measures taken to ensure the creatures do not bother your garden or enter your home uninvited.
Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control specializes in squirrel removal services. Contact the office today to find out more about squirrel removal or to schedule an appointment for service.
