Ask any horticulturist , and they ’ll tell you why it ’s a with child mind to include succulents in your garden . Asides from the heighten aesthetic appeal it gives your 1000 , succulent also help oneself to purify the air and improve the humidity of your base .
But like many other plants , pee - filled succulent leaves are sumptuous meals for several animals , especially squirrels . And once squirrels realize memory access to your garden , they go on a wild succulent - consume banquet .
This is bad news for any gardener . That ’s why in this post , we ’ll explore some of the ways to prevent squirrels from your succulent garden .
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Signs of Infestation
As noted originally , raft of animalseat succulent – including slug , dirt ball , possums , and domestic animals like chickens and duck’s egg . So , how would you know if squirrel are the culprit ?
The nature of the harm is the well reading to you . Squirrels are known for jaw and dig up their way through gardens , so check out for that . What ’s more , the presence of uprooted plant , leaves , and hole with a variety of squirrel foods like nut case indicates a squirrel plague . To learn more about squirrel prevention at CritterPro , you should promptly meet them .
what is more , squirrels distinctively chew on succulents . Unlike insects that make holes by adopt tiny mo , squirrels take a big chunk from succulent leaf . They also leave deep wounds and jagged tear mark on leaves . And since they do n’t use up the whole leaves , you ’ll see disfigured succulents scattered around your garden .
How to Prevent Squirrels from Your Succulent Garden
There are several strategies for keeping squirrels away from yoursucculent garden , each with a vary horizontal surface of effectiveness . In this section , we try out some of them :
1. Netting and Fencing
veiling or fencing is arguably one of the most efficacious ways to keep squirrel away . Think about it – rear a roadblock that they can not pass through hold sense .
However , because squirrels are skillful climbers and diggers with acrobatic natural endowment , erecting an efficacious roadblock can be dispute . That ’s why the barrier has to go a few inches into the ground to prevent squirrels from digging under . Also , the barrier has to have a smooth aerofoil so they can not go up it .
Even if you use a squirrel - proof fence , it ’s often necessary to include net over it to be on the safe side . And if you choose not to , be aware of offshoot tightlipped to your garden . squirrel can climb those branches and hop into your garden from there .
The major drawback of netting and fence is that they take away from the overall artistic appeal of your garden . Also , you take to routinely visit the fencing for impairment and pickle to maintain a squirrel - free garden .
2. Smell Repellents
Squirrels detest sure smells . Why not take that to your advantage ?
Eucalyptus amygdalina is a choice example . Applying Eucalyptus amygdalina alongside your succulents makes them untempting to squirrels . Mothball is another repellant used by gardener , as squirrel detest the smell . However , take down that mothball is toxic , and it can harm crazy animals , pets , and even kids if ware .
In general , squirrels do not like spicy food . Hence , you should consider making or buying a pepper spray that you’re able to apply to your garden . dot dried spices , like red pepper flakes or cayenne , can aid to discourage squirrels .
Note that flavour repellents are not very efficacious because they need to be perpetually reapplied , especially after rainfall or gravid lacrimation . Failure to do so constantly attract squirrels back .
3. Get a Dog
It ’s no news that wienerwurst jazz to chase squirrel . If you do n’t mind having a furry companion , you’re able to also put a dog on squirrel patrol to scare them away .
4. Natural Predator
If you do n’t desire the added responsibility that come with owning a dog , you’re able to take advantage of natural predators of squirrels to keep them away .
For representative , spray your garden with the urine of a natural vulture is a proven path to keep squirrel at bay . But again , it ask to be invariably reapplied to maintain its efficacy .
Another strategy is by station plastic owls , snakes , and hawks around your yard since squirrels are afraid of them . But notice that you have to regularly change the positions of these dummy piranha , so squirrel do not become acclimatized and turn a loss their care of them .
5. Give Them Their Food
Disclaimer : This is a highly controversial method acting , but some homeowners claim it has influence for them . This scheme call for using a squirrel feeder to feed in them with peanut , eat clavus , helianthus seed , and other foods they be intimate .
The idea is that by providing them with promiscuous accession to their best nutrient , you remove the inducement for them to assail your succulent .
6. Startle Them
squirrel hate to be start . That ’s why you should consider harnessing a motion - activated urine sprinkler or flak of air from a motion - activated air can . The startled squirrel rapidly runs back to safety .
If you ’re sharp on enjoy your succulent garden , then you must keep squirrels away . We ’ve explored some of the salutary strategy for accomplishing that . But if you ’ve stress these strategies with no luck , then it ’s clock time to fetch in a master .
