Any suggestions for keeping squirrels away from tomato plants?

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   The Dirt Farmerposted 10 years ago

   Any suggestions for keeping squirrels away from tomato plants?
   
   The night before last, squirrels denuded most of our tomato plants, and it's NOT because the little buggers are thirsty. It's been raining for days! My husband says the only way to get them to stop is to feed them so much they don't have room in their tummies for our tomatoes, but I'm MAD. Does anyone have any other suggestions--barring bloodshed?

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   erinshelbyposted 10 years ago

   I just read somewhere that squirrels, when they chew on the wood of a house, can be deterred by hot sauce (they don't like the taste). Might this work - if you squirt it around the tomatoes? I really don't know... or try trapping the squirrels somehow.

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      The Dirt Farmerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Earlier, I wrapped aluminum foil around the bottoms of the tomato cages, as someone told me this would deter them. I wonder if I could spray the foil with PAM and sprinkle on cayenne pepper? Worth a try! Thanks for the suggestion.

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   Lady Guinevereposted 10 years ago

   Windmills, the kind that children play with and are the shiny kind.  Squirrels, deer, coons and possums do not like the shiny or the twirling and the noise that they make.  They are very inexpensive.. 97 cents at walmart in the childrens toys section.

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      The Dirt Farmerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Hey, that sounds like a good idea. I think I've seen those in other gardens. Thanks for the tip!

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   sallybeaposted 10 years ago

   Apparently squirrels don't like chilli powder.  It is sometimes added to peanuts on the bird feeder for this very reason..  The birds don't mind the chilli powder but the squirrels don't like it at all.   Might be worth a try.

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      The Dirt Farmerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I did not know that about the peanuts! I'll try it along with the cayenne. I'm heading out to the garden now. Thanks for the advice, sallybea! I'm hoping, since the weather's cooled down, that we'll get more blooms & a chance for more toms!

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   cat on a soapboxposted 10 years ago

   Squirrels are more active in daylight, but their rodent cousins, rats, feed at night. For either one, I agree that hot sauce is a very effective deterrent.  I also will cover ripening fruit with a sleeve of nylon stocking secured at the ends w/ wire ties. This allows for the fruit to expand, breathe and get light while keeping pests from chewing through it. Good luck!

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      The Dirt Farmerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Well, the cayenne pepper & chili powder did not work yesterday. This morning I found that they had removed several more small green tomatoes. ): I'll have to grab some hot sauce today and try it. Thanks for the nylon stocking suggestion!

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      cat on a soapboxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      A little vegetable oil mixed in w/ the hot sauce will help it resist water so it doesn't wash off. You can also brew your own hot peppers and garlic, strain, add a bit of oil, dilute and emulsify it, then put it in a sprayer.

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   3. 75

      The Dirt Farmerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks, cat on a soapbox. I'll try the powder mixed with oil & let you know how it works. (:

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