Squirrel Control in the Garden

Squirrels are fascinating creatures that belong to the family Sciuridae, which includes more than 200 species. These small to medium-sized mammals are known for their bushy tails and agile movements. They can be found in a variety of habitats, from urban parks to dense forests, and they play a significant role in the ecosystem by aiding in seed dispersal and forest regeneration…which means they can also be destructive in the garden when they work against what you’re growing there!

Let’s learn more…

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Squirrels are fascinating creatures that belong to the family Sciuridae, which includes more than 200 species. These small to medium-sized mammals are known for their bushy tails and agile movements. They can be found in a variety of habitats, from urban parks to dense forests, and they play a significant role in the ecosystem by aiding in seed dispersal and forest regeneration…which means they can also be destructive in the garden when they work against what you’re growing there!

Let’s learn more…

What Are Squirrels?

Squirrels are primarily herbivorous, feeding on nuts, seeds, fruits, and sometimes fungi. However, some species also consume insects and small animals. They have sharp front teeth that continuously grow, allowing them to gnaw through hard shells and bark to access food.

These mammals are highly social and often communicate through a range of vocalizations and body language. Their behavior can be quite entertaining, as they perform acrobatic feats to climb trees and navigate their environment.

Types of Squirrels

There are two main types of squirrels: tree squirrels and flying squirrels. Each type has unique characteristics and adaptations.

Tree squirrels are perhaps the most recognizable type and what we will focus on here in this article. They spend most of their time in trees. Their long tails help with balance as they leap from branch to branch. Common species include:

• Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis): Found across North America, this species is known for its gray fur and bushy tail.
• Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger): Larger than the Eastern Gray, it has a reddish-brown coat and is often found in open woodlands.
• Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus): Smaller and known for its distinctive reddish fur, it prefers coniferous forests.

Side note: Flying squirrels, in contrast, are unique due to their ability to glide between trees. They have a membrane stretching from their wrists to their ankles, allowing them to glide in the air (not technically fly like their name suggests).

The Lifecycle of Squirrels

Squirrels, with their playful antics and bushy tails, have a fascinating lifecycle that contributes to their success as a species. Understanding their development stages can provide insight into their behavior and help gardeners anticipate their activities throughout the year.

The lifecycle of squirrels can be divided into several key stages: birth, infancy, juvenile, and adulthood. Each stage plays a critical role in their growth and survival.

Birth & Infancy

Squirrels typically breed twice a year, with mating seasons occurring in late winter (around January to February) and mid-summer around (June to July). After mating, the female squirrel has a gestation period of about 44 days. She prepares a nest, often in a tree cavity or a built nest made of leaves and twigs. A litter usually consists of 2 to 8 young squirrels, known as kits or pups. They are born blind, hairless, and completely dependent on their mother. The mother nurses her young for about 6 to 10 weeks. During this time, she keeps them warm and safe while foraging for food.

Juvenile Stage

As the young squirrels grow, they enter the juvenile stage. At around 6 weeks old, the kits begin to open their eyes and grow fur. They start to explore their nest and learn to navigate their surroundings. By 8 to 10 weeks, the young squirrels start eating solid food and may venture outside the nest. They learn to forage for nuts and seeds under the watchful eye of their mother. This stage is crucial for developing survival skills, including climbing, jumping, and foraging techniques.

Adulthood

Squirrels reach sexual maturity between 6 months to 1 year of age, depending on the species. Adult squirrels establish territories, particularly males. They will defend these areas from other squirrels to secure resources like food and nesting sites.

Once mature, males begin to seek out females during mating season. After mating, the cycle begins anew as females prepare for gestation.

Lifespan

In the wild, the average lifespan of a squirrel is typically around 6 to 12 years, although many do not survive to adulthood due to predators or environmental factors. In urban areas, where food sources may be abundant but dangers are present (like cars), lifespans can be shorter.

Seasonal Changes in Squirrel Behavior

Squirrels’ behaviors also change with the seasons, influencing their lifecycle.

• Spring: This is a time for breeding and raising young. Squirrels are busy foraging for food after winter.
• Summer: Young squirrels learn essential survival skills as they grow more independent.
• Fall: Squirrels gather and store food for winter. This is when they become particularly active in gardens, searching for nuts and seeds.
• Winter: Squirrels may enter a state of torpor during extreme cold but will still venture out to access their food caches.

What Squirrels Attack in the Garden

Squirrels are opportunistic feeders, meaning they will take advantage of whatever food sources are available. That said, they have a particular fondness for nuts and seeds. Squirrels love acorns, walnuts, hickory nuts, and other nuts, often seen burying them for later use! They eat sunflower and pumpkin seeds too. In fact, large sunflower heads are often irresistible to squirrels.

Squirrels also enjoy a variety of fruits and vegetables, making them prime targets in your garden:

• Tomatoes: Ripe tomatoes can be particularly appealing, as squirrels often take a bite out of them.
• Peppers: Both sweet and hot peppers can attract squirrels, especially when they’re brightly colored.
• Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, and other soft fruits are often on the menu during peak season.

Certain flowering plants can attract squirrels as well, particularly if they produce seeds or have succulent parts. For example, pansies and petunias can catch a squirrel’s eye, especially if they’re in bloom and accessible. Squirrels can also dig up and even eat various bulbs and tubers, including tulip bulbs, and you may find them digging among other plants too, even if they don’t necessarily eat the roots they’re digging around.

Signs of Squirrels in the Garden

Recognizing signs of squirrels in your garden is the first step in managing their impact. Here are some common indicators that squirrels are visiting your outdoor space. In soft soil or mulch, you may spot small tracks that resemble tiny hands or footprints. Squirrel droppings, which are small and cylindrical, can also be found near feeding areas.

One of the clearest signs of squirrel activity is finding plants with bite marks or nibbled edges. Squirrels often take a few bites out of fruits, vegetables, or leaves, leaving behind a trail of frustrating evidence.

In addition, squirrels are notorious for burying nuts as a way to store food for later. If you notice small holes in the soil or scattered nuts around your garden, it’s a good indication that squirrels are using your space for their food stash.

If your seedlings appear to be uprooted or damaged, squirrels may be the culprits as well. They often dig up young plants while searching for seeds or nuts buried nearby.

In addition, squirrels sometimes chew on the bark of young trees and shrubs, particularly if they are trying to access the nutritious cambium layer underneath. Look for signs of frayed or missing bark around the base of plants.

Plant Damage Caused By Squirrels

Squirrels often target ripe fruits and vegetables, resulting in bite marks (whole fruits may have chunks taken out of them, making them unappetizing) and torn peppers and tomatoes, which have been yanked from their stems.

Young plants are particularly vulnerable to squirrel activity. Squirrels may dig up seedlings while searching for buried seeds, leading to stunted growth or death. They can also gnaw on and damage leaves, which can hinder photosynthesis and weaken overall plant health.

When squirrels chew on tree bark, it can lead to exposed wood, which can damage to the protective bark layer can make trees susceptible to disease and pests. If the damage is severe enough, it may affect the tree’s growth and overall health.

Tips for Protecting Your Garden from Squirrels

While it’s difficult to completely deter squirrels, there are several strategies you can use to protect your garden:

Use Physical Barriers

Use fencing or netting around your garden beds to keep squirrels at bay. Install a sturdy fence around your garden beds. A fence that is at least 4 feet high and buried a foot underground can prevent squirrels from digging under it. Cover vulnerable plants with bird netting or mesh to protect them from squirrels while allowing sunlight and rain to reach the plants.

Squirrel Repellents

• Cayenne Pepper: Sprinkle cayenne pepper around plants; the spicy taste can deter squirrels without harming them.
• Citrus Peels: Place citrus peels around your garden, as squirrels tend to dislike the smell of citrus.
• Vinegar: Spray diluted vinegar around areas where squirrels tend to forage; the strong scent can act as a deterrent.

While less natural (you’ll want to be careful while using these products around food in particular – check the ingredients), there are also squirrel repellent sprays and granular repellents you might find useful.

Garden Design

Choose squirrel-resistant plants such as daffodils, marigolds, or strong-smelling herbs like rosemary and sage that are less appealing to squirrels. Keep a distance between your plants and areas where squirrels are likely to nest or forage, making it less inviting for them to visit. Make sure compost bins are securely covered, as food scraps can attract squirrels.

Trapping & Hunting Season

You can use live traps to capture squirrels or hunt them as allowed. (Check local regulations for both of these options.)

Natural Predators

Attract natural predators like hawks or owls by providing suitable perches or nesting boxes. Their presence can deter squirrels from frequenting your garden.

Noise, Motion, & Visual Deterrents

Hanging wind chimes can create noise that might scare squirrels away. In addition, motion-activated sprinklers can startle squirrels with sudden bursts of water when they enter a designated area. If you hang shiny objects like aluminum foil strips or old CDs around your garden, the reflections can confuse and deter squirrels. You can also use decoys like plastic owls or snakes; just be sure to move them regularly to maintain their effectiveness.

How to Control Squirrels in the Garden Conclusion

By understanding the types of squirrels, their lifecycle, and the signs of their activity, you can better anticipate their behaviors and protect your plants. Squirrels…be gone!