How to get rid of squirrels in your garden.

Another challenging creature is the squirrel. They can quickly go from cute and cuddly to annoying and downright rude when they dig up bulbs or rob your vegetable garden, ruining your well designed garden.

Discourage squirrels from visiting your garden

• Eliminate food sources - bird feeders attract squirrels as well as other wildlife.  If you want to attract birds and other native insect life, you can install appropriate plant material.

• Unfinished pet food dishes left outside will attract ground squirrels.

• Mulch your bulbs after installing. While squirrels may dig them up, they typically won't eat them.  (Squirrels are notorious for moving plant bulbs around.  This may be the reason why your red tulip came up where you least expected it.)

•  Plants with a strong astringent fragrance such as santolina or artemisia are good deterrents.

• Spray your plants with a hot pepper spray.  This will need to be reapplied after rainstorms.

• You may want to get a cat or dog to stand sentry over your beautiful garden. Dogs discourage other animals burrowing on a small property. Cats are natural hunters.

• Make sure all outdoor hose and water connections are sealed well.  A slow outdoor drip becomes a water fountain attracting regular visitors beyond squirrels.  Standing water should also be eliminated.

Trapping squirrels in city gardens

Squirrels are a nuisance to some, and to others cute, fuzzy creatures they enjoy watching.  They are part of the ecosystem in NYC. 

If squirrels visit your backyard and cause havoc, the use of live traps are usually a temporary measure.   Trapping them and releasing them in another area of town, or a park, will probably offer you some respite from squirrel activity for a time.   Eventually, expect another squirrel to occupy this area.. squirrels are territorial.  Be aware that many jurisdictions forbid transportation and release of wild mammals. Check your local laws.