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How can I stop squirrels digging into my palnt pots

helen398helen398 Posts: 1
in Problem solving

Anyone got any good methods for stopping squirrels digging into my palnt pots and I think eating the bulbs and roots.

They also are a nightmare for easting the bird food.

Thank you for any help and advice anyone can provide.

Helen

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Posts

  • Bright starBright star Posts: 1,153

    Some forum members place chicken wire over  the top of pots.

    Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,146

    I've known people fix smallish holed wire netting over the pots after planting and find it effective.  The plants grow up through the holes and it becomes pretty invisible.

    As for bird food - there are some really strong squirrel proof birdfeeders available nowadays - there are some here https://www.gardenwildlifedirect.co.uk/bird-feeders/squirrel-proof-feeders.html  and 

    http://www.gardman.co.uk/wild-bird-care/feeders/squirrel-proof.html 

    Hope  that helps. image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • SussexsunSussexsun Posts: 1,444

    You would hate me as I feed the squirrels monkey nuts on a old bird feeder and they tend to leave my bulbs alone as there is a easier and nicer food sourse nearby.

    To see a world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wild flower Hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour.

  • RedwingRedwing Posts: 1,511

    Chili powder.  They hate it.

    Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505

    Scatter holly leaves or pyracantha twigs on the surface of the pots. Poke them in a bit if they're likely to blow away.

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    Chicken wire works for me. I only use it on the pots with small bulbs as they're nearer the surface which suits squirrels. They don't tend to dig too far down, so bigger bulbs are fine. 

    I also have a peanut feeder which distracts them a good bit of the time, although they still like a dig around in borders...r***y tree rats... image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889

    If they're reds, leave them to it. If they're greys, shoot them.

    Devon.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    If they're reds Hosta - thank your lucky stars every single day image  

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889

    Fairy, I've seen one red squirrel in my life. That was in Northumberland. A cull of greys is long over due.

    Devon.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    There's still plenty up here Hosta, but they need all the help they can get. Glen Lyon - where I was last weekend - is full of them, but they're quite secretive, so you won't always see them that readily. I've seen them quite often, but it's usually away from the road in woodland and on estate tracks  etc.

    Or squished on the roads when they cross...image

    There's also a school of thought that it's a myth about the greys pushing them out. Different food and habitats etc. 

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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