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Protecting pots from squirrels (continued)

newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada

6 years ago

I want to add one more way to protect your pots from squirrels.

Save those mesh bags you get onions, potatoes in. So I planted a few of my mini hosta in one pot for overwintering and wouldn't you know it---the squirrels began digging in them! So I had to outsmart them:

and

I do like the mesh in the first picture better as it allows more light in, but I think the second mesh will suffice.

For more information regarding protecting pots from squirrels, see http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/3863041/protecting-my-pots-from-squirrels-in-the-early-spring?n=26

Featured Answer

Pieter zone 7/8 B.C.

6 years ago

Most of my hostas are in pots and I have never had an issue with either the grey or the black squirrels digging up my hostas. Now, spring bulbs like crocus, tulips and iris are a different story, they seem to feel those are fair game. With have gone to putting up a live cage trap right on the cap of the fence which is one of their major thoroughfares and we've trapped -and relocated- around 40 squirrels over the past 18 months. A high percentage of them have been trapped with NO bait in the trap, they run along the fence straight into the trap and GOTCHA. Along with that we've also caught some rats, they all get a new home far away from where we live...

Pieter

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Comments (11)

lindalana 5b Chicago
6 years ago
Yeah, I have been using bird netting mesh as well. I do not have this problem all year, but now with few oaks, those tree rats are just too busy...
newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada thanked lindalana 5b Chicago
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ConnieMay ON Z6a
6 years ago
I read that if you throw in a Daffodil bulb they will leave it alone...has anyone tried this?
newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada thanked ConnieMay ON Z6a
newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada
Original Author
6 years ago
Well Pieter, I always thought the squirrels were digging in my pots because it's the easiest thing to dig in and it's near the food source (the birdfeeder). My garden has quite a bit of tree roots so digging in the pots where the soil is light and airy is just perfect!

I recently freshed up a small area in my front yard. While I was digging there, I saw a squirrel with something in its mouth coming right for my garden patch. When it saw me, it stopped dead in its tracks! I knew it was thinking "what the hell is she doing there!" So it then decided to go across the road to a neighbor who completely re-landscaped their front and back yard. Nice fresh loose soil over there!

Lindalana, I don't have this problem all season either. It is mainly in the spring and the fall. I also have to keep the pots a good distance from the birdfeeder.

Never heard of that ConnieMay. Seems simple enough to do though.
lindalana 5b Chicago
6 years ago
Tree rats will not eat daffodil bulbs but they might dig it up. I am not sure planting it with hosta will deter them. Throwing netting over pots is not a big deal for me, tree rats are not a problem here in the spring or summer.
newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada thanked lindalana 5b Chicago
Esther-B, Zone 7a
6 years ago
I found that placing egg sized smooth stones all around potted plants, on the soil of the pot, is the best way to keep squirrels from digging up plants in pots. For a trio of new baby hostas, of which the squirrels dug up 2 (which I caught in time before they dried out, and replanted), I bought a wire basket at TJ Maxx and put it over the trio of baby hostas, anchoring it with long double staples and stakes. No squirrel could possibly damage them now!
newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada thanked Esther-B, Zone 7a
newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada
Original Author
6 years ago
I have also used stones on the surface of the pot but sometimes worry about the potting media not getting sufficient air circulation nor drying sufficiently. I like your idea of a wire basket over the mini hosta. I will be on the lookout for wire baskets in my area!
nicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
an idea..old bird cage?..a fancy one could be a pretty cover for a pot of hostas..
newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada thanked nicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis
newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada
Original Author
6 years ago
That would look good nicholsworth! I do have a large unused bird cage. Last year I put it over a spot in my garden where I had planted bulbs. My neighbor wondered what I had that there for and finally just had to ask! Bulb protection! No way I was going to let those squirrels dig up my beautiful double daffodils!
imagooch zone 6b/7a Chatham ON
6 years ago
I have found two products that really work to discourage squirrels. When is Bobbex, the other is Plantskydd. Both discourage squirrels as there is a scent they don't like. I like Bobbex better because it is already in clear liquid form and plantskydd leaves little gray spots on the plants. Also it doesn't dissolve very well and clogs my sprayer. Not only do they protect my potted hostas but they protect the tulips as well.
newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks for letting me know about these products, imagooch! They sound perfect for my needs! I am going to do an online search for them. Can you tell me where you purchase them?

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