5 Steps to Stop Squirrels and Chipmunks from Damaging Your Plants

As gardeners, we love continuous contact with the soil, plant, mud, etc. We also love nature as a whole and each of its components. But sometimes, a few things in nature dishearten us. I am talking about plants being ravaged by uninvited guests like squirrels, chipmunks, etc.

Ya! I know that by nature’s laws, they are entitled to create a mess in the garden; it is totally natural. But, for a good yield and considering the cost of the efforts, the mess is not discoverable. You know, strawberries, blackberries, and other berries are the favourites of chipmunks. On the other hand, beans, squash, cucumbers, eggplants, etc., are squirrel’s favourites.

However, with decades of experience in gardening, I have found some protective measures. Here, I will share 5 steps to stop squirrels and chipmunks from damaging your plants.

How to Differentiate Which Animal Caused the Damage

Well, there are not only squirrels and chipmunks but also other small creatures that can cause damage to your garden. However, this article will deal with only squirrels and chipmunks. So, it is essential to identify the culprit specifically.

I list some tips below to help you identify which creatures (Squirrels or Chipmunks) have made the mess in your garden.

Look for Digging Patterns Characteristic

Squirrels often dig small holes in a scattered manner throughout the garden. Typically, the dia of a hole ranges from 1″ to 2″. On the other hand, chipmunks dig large holes and create a single tunnel with only one entry and exit point.

Observe the Excrement

Squirrel excrement is nearly the dimension of a raisin. The colour of the droppings is dark brown, and the shape is cylindrical. On the other hand, chipmunks’ droppings are smaller, like a grain of rice. You can notice the droppings at the entry of their tunnel.

Movement Pattern

In general, Squirrels are diurnal. This means they are active during the day. The issue is that chipmunks are also active during the day. So, this factor won’t help that much in identifying the main culprit.

Signs of Nesting

If there is a tree in or near your garden that the squirrel created to create the nest, you become sure that the culprit is the squirrel. 

On the other hand, if you notice lengthy and complex burrow systems underground, you become sure that the culprit is the chipmunk.

5 Steps to Stop Squirrels from Damaging Your Plants

The following are the 5 proven steps to stop squirrels from damaging your plants.

Step 01: Select Unfavorable Plants of Squirrel

This step is crucial for gardeners who are sure about squirrels’ attack on plants. For instance, if there are big trees beside your house and garden, there is a significant chance that squirrels will live in those trees. 

Besides this, if you are a resident of Utah, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Nevada, North Dakota, Montana, etc., states, there is a guarantee that squirrels will attach to the plants. 

So, considering the confirmed attack of squirrels, you must go for plants that are unpleasant to squirrels. Squirrels hate plants like daffodils, alliums, marigolds, etc.

Step 02: Use Decoys and Deterrents

Placing plastic or wooden decoys of owls, eagles, snakes, etc., keeps squirrels far away from the garden. Also, there are some automated noise-making devices which you can use to keep that fluffy one far away from your favourite plants.

Step 03: Creating a Physical Barrier

I suggest you use this approach if you are desperate. In this approach, you use the wire-made net to create a physical barrier. You can purchase from the market. 

Before heading to the hardware shop, measure the respective area. Purchase the new. Here, you have to ensure that the net reaches a minimum of 5-8 inches deep, excluding the upper portion. 

The 8-inch deep portion will eliminate the chance that any squirrel will enter the premises by digging a tunnel.

Step 04: Use of Repellents

There are commercial repellents in the market to protect the plants from the squirrels. They usually contain capsaicin or predator urine that keeps the squirrels away. 

There are homemade solutions, and these are also available. For a homemade solution, you have to prepare a mixture of hot sauce, pepper, dish soap, and water. 

Then, put the mixture inside a spray bottle. Finally, spray the repellents on your favourite plants. The smell and spicy taste will keep the squirrels far away from those plants. Here, the problem is that if the number of plants is too large, this method won’t work.

Step 05: Do Modification Within the Surrounding

Always keep your garden free from nuts, fallen fruits, seeds, etc. Also, check every tree to find the nest; if you find any, try to make it your friend. Put nuts, seeds, etc., on a regular basis in front of its home. Here, as its demand for food is met, it might not harm your plants. But unfortunately, it is not 100% confirmed.

5 Steps to Stop Chipmunks from Damaging Your Plants

The following are the steps.

Step 01: Start with the elimination of food sources

In general, chipmunks are lazy and highly attracted to easy meals. In this case, you have to put effort into cleaning up any spilt birdseed, pet food left outdoors, or fallen fruit. 

As the tiny creature fails to find any easy food source, it gets discouraged and, hopefully, leaves your house’s parameters. Also, I suggest you keep a sharp eye on your garden and use automated noise-generating devices.

Step 02: Make the Garden Less Hospitable

This approach effectively protects your plants from chipmunks but requires effort and clear space distribution. I must admit that, in this case, you are growing plants and setting up a picturesque garden.

• First, go regular mowing of the grass.
• Second, regularly remove brush piles, rock collections, and other potential nesting sites near your garden.
• Third, distribute the space wisely. At the edges of the garden, plants unfavourable to the chipmunks grow, and other plants grow in the inner part of the garden.

Step 03: Use Mesh Fencing

Arrange at least 18-26 inch tall fencing. Here, the length depends on the area you want to protect. Now, install the mesh fencing and make sure that 4-5 inches of the fence goes deeper into the soil.

Step 04: Using Natural Repellents

Obviously, commercial repellents for chipmunks are available on the market. But, I prefer using homemade ones as per my ethics of eco-friendly gardening. 

The process is straightforward, and it requires sprinkling cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, or garlic powder around the perimeter of your garden. However, this approach is ineffective if your garden size is vast.

Step 05: Grow Plants that Chimpmunk Dislikes

This approach is applicable to you if you are not a serious gardener. You just want to spend your free time with the plants, any type of plant you like to grow. If this is the case, there are lots of plants that chipmunks hate. 

So, by growing them, you can get rid of the problem. The respective plants are listed below:

• Lavender
• Mint
• Marigolds
• Daffodils
• Alliums
• Geraniums and many more.

Final Words

I expect that my elaboration on 5 steps to stop squirrels and chipmunks from damaging your plants will help you a lot. I suggest that before applying any of the protective approaches, you must evaluate the severity level of the damage. 

If the creatures damage your plants only one time, it’s not a big deal. But, if they do this regularly, you must take protective measures. 

Finally, check with the local wildlife protection authority about restrictions on using any of the mentioned approaches. In many states, you cannot kill chipmunks or squirrels as those are declared protected.