A few days ago, I put a layer of mulch in about 1/2 the pots that are outside and line the fence. I don't know why, but only certain ones seem to be the favorites of the squirrels. The mulch seems to help! I can see where they are digging, but instead of digging a deep hole in one or two pots, there are dig marks in several of the pots, but none is very deep. It looks like they are being discouraged because the mulch is too thick to work through to get to the dirt.
Peppermint oil does seem to help, but you have to reapply it after it rains. The scent doesn't last very long either. At $14 a bottle, unless I can make a peppermint spray using a few drops in water, it is too expensive to use. You are to soak cotton balls in peppermint oil, then place them in the area that is affected by the activity of the squirrels. Supposedly, squirrels hate the smell of peppermint, and it is supposed to repel them. I do love the smell of my backyard though, when the peppermint smell is strong. It smells like a candy cane factory!
I have some peppermint seeds now, and I am planting them, hoping for nice, big peppermint plants to come out of them.
Now, I have a cool idea, if I could make it work. If you have ever had hamsters, you know how entertaining a wheel in their cage is. What if I could make a squirrel wheel and attach it to a tree in the back? Wouldn't that be cool?
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| An actual picture of an exercise wheel that can be used by squirrels! |
I do have a more practical idea though. Squirrels like to dig. I am thinking about making one or two sandboxes in my back yard for the squirrels. I would put a lot of sand, or dirt, in them, and put some corn and/or sunflower seeds in them. The squirrels could spend their time digging for corn and seeds, and it would keep them entertained.
We live on the other side of a wildlife conservation reserve, and we do have a lot of interesting animals out there. You can hear the activity at when, when you go outside. Occasionally, I hear an animal that just bit the dust. Some other larger, stronger animal came along its path, and that was the end of that animal. Sad, but true.
About two years ago, I began feeding the squirrels popcorn. There was a small handful of squirrels then, and their number went up to a dozen. An interesting thing happened though. I fed them popcorn almost every day. They came out more readily as time went on. But the number of squirrels went down. After a while, we had only two squirrels that would come out. Around here, there are hawks that are always looking for something to eat. We fattened up the squirrels, and they became a tasty snack for the hawks. At least, that is my theory.
The squirrels, of course, are back up in number. I got my air pellet gun out and am learning how to aim it. I came really close to hitting a squirrel, although I think all I would have to do is to hit the fence, and that will scare them away.
Next big item to get, is a sprinkler, sensored scarecrow. It is solar powered, and as soon as it senses something in its path, the sprinkler goes off.
We will see how the sandbox works. If the squirrels destroy 1/10th of the garden, that still is a lot, because my garden is not that big yet. But, I will find ways to make the garden bigger, and grow more plants. That way, when part of it gets destroyed, that part won't be missed as much.
Until next time..
Happy Gardening!
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| Bye Bye Squirrels. I'll fix your fuzzy little tails, yet! |
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