Keeping squirrels from tulips
Emailed StickFigureMan today:
How do people keep the squirrels from shredding their tulips?
Every year it's the same: The squirrels wait till the buds are plump and ready to bloom, giving me hope that maybe I'll get to see my flowers this year. Then they destroy them. They don't even eat them. They shred them with their little claws and leave the petals scattered about to mock me.
I've made them sacrificial offerings of bird seed. But squirrels don't honor treaties. Last year I made habanero tea and sprayed all the tulips. Mmm, spicy, said the squirrels, as they ravaged on.
I am consumed by jealousy when I see yards bursting with tulip color. What do they know that I don't?
We suggest renting a fisher and giving those smug, treaty-breaking squirrels a run for their lives.
Perhaps you have some less radical suggestions for StickFigureMan?
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Comments
Pterodactyls.
... said B on Apr 19, 2010 at 3:18 PM | link
Try Liquid Fence. It contains coyote urine. Or sit in hiding with a slingshot.
... said StanfordSteph on Apr 19, 2010 at 3:25 PM | link
I too would love to know what works against these vandals. They are a nuisance all summer long, for many varieties of flowers, and in all locations (in the ground, in baskets, and in wall sconces). I have tried sticking garlic cloves in the soil, which is only minimally effective.
... said KM on Apr 19, 2010 at 3:32 PM | link
I found my problem to be not squirrels but rabbits (or rabbit) last year. Here is what they did:
http://www.choicegrinds.com/?p=544
We'll see what happens this year.
... said Travis on Apr 19, 2010 at 3:46 PM | link
I've heard rumor that leaving a bowl of milk out for them will give them a nasty tummy ache which will keep them away. Our garden fell victim to the Albany thug squirrels last year. I am more optimistic this year since we've gotten a dog.
... said JoJo on Apr 19, 2010 at 4:00 PM | link
Though I have yet to try it, I have read that garlic is a pretty good deterrent for garden pests. My mother prefers to shoot the little buggers with a bb gun. But, then, she IS retired.
... said juboga on Apr 19, 2010 at 4:39 PM | link
When I lived in Albany, we had a fluffy white dog. After brushing him I'd put his hair in the garden. Sometimes it worked to deter the mutant Albany rabbits and squirrels, and sometimes the chickadees picked up the hair for nesting material and looked like mini Santa Clauses with white beards and moustaches. Sprinkling cayenne pepper (reapply after rain) is effective for rabbits also, but better for potted plants. And based on your resident squirrels' penchance for the hot stuff, I'd go the dog hair route. (We have very few squirrels now, which seemed so weird when we first arrived. Now I realize it is because we have so many hawks.) Goos luck; I know how frustrating this can be.
... said EAC on Apr 19, 2010 at 4:41 PM | link
I have much better luck with daffodils. The squirrels and bunnies galore around my house seem to ignore the daffodils. Save yourself the trouble.
... said Carly on Apr 19, 2010 at 4:59 PM | link
It used to make me insane, but then I realized that, morally speaking, it's the closest rodents can get to avenging the "Whack-A-Mole" game phenomenon. They can't reach our heads, so they go for our tulips. What goes around comes around.
... said CJ on Apr 19, 2010 at 5:01 PM | link
Squirrels generally hate peppermint oil.
... said James on Apr 19, 2010 at 6:14 PM | link
Oops! Got distracted. I probably should have mentioned that you put several drops in a gallon of water and spray the area.
... said James on Apr 19, 2010 at 6:16 PM | link
Thanks for the good tips - I was heartbroken to see all of my tulips devoured (save one, but I bet that'll be gone this morning...). This is my first spring as an Albany property owner and I was so excited to do it up right. Alas, the little buggers got me.
... said GP on Apr 20, 2010 at 6:50 AM | link
Over the years I have put together a line of defense for my tulips against rabibts, squirrels and deer. In includes spreading copious amounts of Milorganite (a granular organic fertilizer made from treated Milwaukee sewage sludge) chunks of Irish Spring soap and I leave the front porch light on all night. So far so good. Also, one dog will solve all of your problems. And, these critters don't seem to have any interest in hyacinths or daffodils.
... said Larry Sombke on Apr 20, 2010 at 11:36 AM | link
I agree with Carly--grown daffoldils and enjoy the tulips at the Tulip Festival. (How do they keep the critters away? Somebody should ask the city gardener.)
... said chrisck on Apr 20, 2010 at 12:31 PM | link
I appreciate all the advice.
Thanks to the new signage at the Corning Preserve, I'm able to express my bitterness in Stick Figure form: http://bit.ly/btJQpz
I'm going to try the peppermint oil. If that fails, I'm giving up and planting daffodils.
... said Stick Figure Man on Apr 21, 2010 at 12:15 PM | link
The real solution to your squirrel problem is to deal with your jerk neighbors who are feeding the squirrels all winter.
... said Duff on Apr 26, 2010 at 10:10 PM | link