Squirrels!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Caroline on November 5, 2008 at 14:33

I'm afraid that there isn't a lot that you can do about it - especially when it comes to bulbs which squirrels love. We can't plant tulips in the garden as they dig them up straight away and so always plant them in big pots which we either cover with mesh, or put in the front garden covered in coarse gravel, until the plants start to come through. You can also plant the bulbs in the ground and cover with some chicken wire which will stop the squirrels digging up the bulbs whilst allowing the plants to grow through - however I'm far too lazy to be bothered to dig a hole big enough! They seem less keen on daffodils.

Generally they will have a dig aroung in any nice soft soil so topping all your pots and planters with gravel really helps, although sadly, it has to be the heavy stuff which looks less attractive: pea shingle is no good at all!

I have two regular visitors to the garden and my method is to try to kill them with kindness. I leave out loads of peanuts and lots of stale cake. I'm trying to get them so fat that they can't be bothered to dig ....

Permalink Reply by AnnieH on November 5, 2008 at 16:31

We've opened the door a few times to find that our pots have been raided by squirrels (presumably looking for hidden nuts!) and a little pile of soil left on the ground next to them! Admittedly it hasn't been too much of a problem so I haven't any other useful other suggestions other than Tom's recipe link. We watched River Cottage and I have to say, it looked like a delicious dish! I just don't think I could go through with hitting the squirrels over the head while they wriggle around in a jute bag :o(

Permalink Reply by Hugh on November 5, 2008 at 16:54

One thing that has worked for me - grace de a bamboo plant that died - was cutting up think bamboo shoots and peppering the ground or want to protect with a dispersed bamboo palisade. Want of a dead bamboo plant should not put you off. I'm sure you can substitute.

Permalink Reply by alistairj on November 5, 2008 at 19:26

The 'vermin with good PR' are a pain with bulbs - I thought Alliums were better than crocuses and tulips but as quite a few didn't appear this year, maybe they were eaten too...

Permalink Reply by Birdy_Too on November 6, 2008 at 9:25

They are mother earths creatures and are going about their daily business. They spread disease as much as other animals, wild, domesticated or human. They are certainly not vermin just because they are digging for fodder in your prize rose bushes.

I must remind you there are some very important squirels out there!

Permalink Reply by Alison P on November 6, 2008 at 11:21

My previous garden backed on to the parkland walk in Stroud Green - boy, did I have squirrel problems. Touch wood, its not been so bad for me here (dont send your squirrels my way Kerrie!).

The only thing that worked for me with bulbs then was to cover them over - out of desparation one year I ended up using a combination of chicken wire and grids made of bamboo/string. One there was some greenery they didn't seem that interested.

Permalink Reply by finsburypark on November 9, 2008 at 18:32

In general tulip bulbs go 10 cm under the soil. Even having squirrels digging here and there they didn't touch my tulip bulbs. Digging for 10 cm it's not something they like to do that much in my opinion. Or simply I'm lucky?

Permalink Reply by Kerrie on November 21, 2008 at 13:10

Thanks to all of you for your helpful suggestions - looks like I'll be baking squirrel pie!