How to stop squirrels stealing plant bulbs?

Barriers


Some people protect their bulbs from squirrels by placing chicken wire over the beds at planting time. The wire is placed flat on the ground and covered with a layer of soil or mulch. It isn't visible and the shoots grow through the mesh. You may be able to keep the squirrels from digging in the pots by cutting a piece of mesh to fit over the soil in the container before or after planting seeds, seedlings, cuttings, bulbs or corms.





When squirrels target a particular plant or steal fruits and vegetables, you may be able to foil them by building a fence or cage around or over the affected plants.





Squirrels often reach roofs and attics by running along cables and power lines or leaping from overhanging branches. They may be deterred by keeping all branches at least 8 feet from buildings. It may also help to attach a wide collar of metal six feet from the base of nearby trees. Be sure to loosen the collar occasionally or otherwise attach it so that it does not interfere with the tree's growth.





Two or three-inch plastic pipe can be split to cover cables or wires. The pipe will rotate when a squirrel tries to cross it. Check with utility officials before doing this to avoid hazards.





Tanglefoot or other sticky materials can be applied to buildings, railings, downspouts, and other areas to keep squirrels from climbing. To prevent a mess, apply masking tape to the area beforehand.





Use hardware cloth or plywood to cover holes squirrels may use to enter walls or attics. But be sure not to lock any squirrels inside in the process.





Most squirrels can not reach bird feeders mounted on posts protected with baffles. However, the post must be located well away from overhanging branches or other structures so that the squirrels can not bypass the baffle by leaping directly to the feeder.





Repellents


Taste repellents such as Ropel or Hinder can be applied to seeds, bulbs, and flowers, trees and shrubs, poles and fences, siding and outdoor furniture. However it will be necessary to reapply repellents after rain. Repellents are most effective when they are applied before the damage has begun.





Squirrels are supposedly adverse to tasting cayenne pepper. Hot pepper powder, which is said not to affect birds, is sometimes mixed in with bird seed to keep squirrels out. Reports about the effectiveness of this strategy have been mixed.





Habitat modification


Removing overhanging branches and other access to bird feeders and buildings will help reduce squirrel damage.





Offering an alternative source of food such as corn, nuts or sunflower seeds might distract the squirrels from bulbs and other valuable plants. However, alternative feed as well as bird feeding may also increase the number of squirrels that visit the yard. In some cases it may be best to eliminate feeding altogether.





Squirrels dig to cache food and they dig again to retrieve the food they have hidden. However, the holes are quite shallow and the impact of the digging on a healthy lawn is usually minimal and temporary. Since digging is part of a squirrel's adaptation for survival, it may be impossible to eliminate this behavior. Ground covers such as pachysandra, ajuga or vinca might be an alternative to grass in areas where the diggings is a major problem. Squirrels are unlikely to dig in the groundcover and if they do, no one will notice.





Some bulbs such as crocus and tulip seem to be more attractive to deer, rabbits and squirrels than others. Daffodils and narcissus are usually left alone, so you consider adding more of these to your bulb collection.





Trapping


When all else fails you may resort to trapping and removal. Live traps are available for rent at some hardware stores and nature centers. Peanuts, sunflower seeds, apple slices and peanut butter are good baits. Tie trap doors open for two or three days to get squirrels accustomed to feeding in the traps. Then set the traps and check them twice daily. Inform your neighbors of the trap. If you decide to relocate the squirrels, you must have the permission of the property owner (individual or government) before releasing them. You may have to trap several before you observe a noticeable decrease in squirrel activity and damage.





Here are some links for more information about controlling tree squirrels:


http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/for/for45鈥?/a>


http://www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/wildlife/g1鈥?/a>


http://www.msue.msu.edu/genesee/natres/s鈥?/a>


http://www.havahart.com/nuisance/cagepro鈥?/a>How to stop squirrels stealing plant bulbs?
Shoot them.


As an alternative, I have heard that digging (human) hair into the soil discourages them. I have never tried it and have only anecdotal information about the effectiveness.


If you do shoot them, use something smaller than a shotgun. Squirrels are tasty little devils and something smaller than a shotgun will leave enough to cook up.How to stop squirrels stealing plant bulbs?
Most garden centers and hardware stores have products like Liquid Fence, containing capsasin (the stuff that makes hot peppers hot). Spraying those liquids on the bulbs before planting helps, but if they're in the ground, try spraying the area before digging them up. You can also try Critter Ridder which comes in pellets that you can sprinkle around the area. Expect both to cost between $10 - $20.
Bury the bulbs with a cage around them. You can make one out of hardware ';cloth'; - a metal netting you can buy at Lowes or Home Depot. Wire it together good around the bulbs and then bury them to the recommended depth. Make sure the spaces in the cage material are wide enough for your bulbs' leaves and flower heads to grow through without getting damaged or distorted.
the easist way is to kill them.


you can buy traps at hardware stores,


if you live in a city or a residential area its not good to fire a gun, you can be arrested.
buy small bathroom water cups cut out the bottom dig a hole put the cup in the hole than put your bulb in the cup cover with dirt done
get the good old shot gun out and start ur target practicing. Yee hawwww