How to Keep Squirrels Out of My Flower Baskets
Do you have squirrels in your garden? If so, you are probably aware of the damage they can cause by digging and nibbling on your vegetables and fruits. These playful pests also wreak havoc on numerous types of flowers, both in your garden and in flower baskets. There are some precautionary measures you can take to keep the squirrels away. They don't cost much, and if they work, your flower baskets will remain your own. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Protect Your Plants
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1
Examine the location of your flower baskets to determine the route the squirrels are using to get to them. Move the baskets if they are near trees where squirrels may nest or under overhead electrical lines. If possible, place them near areas of heavy human traffic to discourage foraging squirrels.
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2
Attach a simple fixture to hanging plants. This should restrict the squirrels' access to the plant pole or post that holds the basket. Encircle the post with a piece of smooth metal. This metal should be 2 feet wide and placed approximately 6 feet above the ground.
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3
Apply a repellent to make plants less attractive to squirrels and other animals. Place a few mothballs near your flower baskets. The squirrels will smell the odor of the mothballs rather than the food source of the flower. Do not place these directly above the roots of your plants as they may eventually disintegrate and damage the plant. If you do not like the smell of mothballs yourself, use a commercial repellent made from nicotine sulfate.
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Make your own squirrel repellent by mixing a single teaspoon of Lysol in one gallon of water. Apply to the plant with a garden sprayer after every rain.
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Pack rocks or pinecones into the soil of your flower baskets. This will protect the roots from squirrels trying to dig up bulbs and tubers while ignoring the leaves and blossoms. Some people find that laying dog fur over the soil keeps the squirrels from digging in the area.
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Tips & Warnings
Provide a more appetizing treat for your squirrels by putting out a squirrel feeder. Place it far away from your house and flower baskets.
Use caution when applying chemical repellents to plants. Test for adverse reactions by first testing a small area of any delicate plants.
