My credentials: I have a large patio full of containers, and 50 pecan trees. The squirrels are a problem, but I've solved the ones they make with the container plants. I go to a rockyard - and buy river rock. I prever the flattened shape. The biggest ones that I can fit around the plant on top of the dirt. They work like mulch in that they shade the soil and keep it from getting splashed out when watering. I have one pot that is about 3 feet across, in it, I have smaller stones, and they are 3 stones deep across the whole pot. All my pots with this type of mulch are squirrel free. No digging, no holes, no seeds. The ones that are as big as my hand, and flattened look like giant lozenges are my fave, because it is easy to remove them when you want to repot. Don't have to sift through to find them. But this is the only thing that has worked. Hot pepper is enjoyable to them. I thought about getting my husband a paint gun and letting him scare them off, but that would create other problems. Red and yellow squirrels for one thing.

Bill, I've had two foam containers outdoors for at least 5 years now. They have never split. The only problem I've had, is that the plant that hangs over the rim of the pot has caused the finish to degrade so when I need to prune that plant back, it doesn't look very pretty before it grows back in. I could refinish it I guess, but I haven't. I feel like I've gotten my money's worth out of them. I haven't repotted the plants in them and I should have. I'm not sure how it will work out when I attempt that, after 5 years. I have another pot that I like better, that I also have left outside all winter. I really don't know what the material is that they are made of, it's nothing that I'm familiar with. I've never seen them again since that one time I bought them, or I'd buy more of them. The only reason I like the other pot better, is that I don't feel good about using styrofoam that has such a long life and doesn't break down in land fills. I have one guess about what the material is and I'm sure I'm wrong, but it might give you an idea of what I'm talking about. Have you ever seen those pegboards that are made for the wall of your garage. The old fashioned kind that are not plastic, but are some sort of pressed material? It reminds me of that, but it's weatherproof, with some kind of paint finish. I'd take a photo but I don't think it would help unless they were empty and I could show you the inside of them and they're still full of mums. I would like stone or concrete, but they are so heavy, I just can't see dealing with them, but they are organic. Metal is also an organic material and will withstand weather but I don't want the upkeep of dealing with it when it rusts.

I own a yankee flipper as well and it has lasted many years - probably going on 5 now against the elements which is pretty respectable. It is a bit pricey but when you average it out based on how long it lasts and that it's so well built it is worth it. Here is the link to it on amazon. http://amzn.to/1UdB714 Also, there is a variant that doesn't use batteries called the yankee whipper. Instead of a spinning ring it has spring loaded perches that collapse when squirrels get to them. Probably not quite as entertaining as the flipper but still a good brand and very well built. http://amzn.to/1rvQiIc 

Sugar ants can literally take over a home. You need to get granule ant poison and sprinkle around the entire perimeter of your home. If yours is a crawlspace foundation, you need to toss in some of the granules into the crawlspace vents. Empty your pantry, get a can of Bengal Gold, and spray a line of it all around the ceiling, all around the floor, and up every corner. You need to do this inside your cabinets as well. Bengal is the only thing that works, and it stays active for a year or more. Any air-tight container will work. Walmart has some clear off-brand ones that hold up great.