Gardeners swear by these plants to help create a squirrel-free garden
5 best squirrel deterrent plants for your garden – UK gardeners reveal the top picks(Image: helen Reid via Getty Images)
Pests become problematic during spring, with numerous householders spotting increased numbers of slugs, snails, rats and squirrels in their gardens. While squirrels might appear charming as they bound about your garden, they can prove troublesome and inflict surprising levels of damage. They’re notorious for gnawing wires, chewing through timber and even gaining entry to properties.
Like most wild creatures, if food is accessible, they’ll probably remain. The obvious answer would be to remove all nuts, fruits, and vegetables, though this proves difficult when cultivating your own crops. Gardeners have turned to Facebook to discuss natural methods for deterring the pest.
Writing on the Everything Gardening Facebook group, Sandra Evans asked: “What type of flowers or herbs can I plant to keep squirrels away from my garden? They’re attacking my tomato plants constantly.”
Members rushed to the comments section to reveal their natural deterrent techniques. Vikki Burgett responded: “You can plant daffodils, alliums, marigolds, lavender, hyacinths and geraniums.
Daffodils can help to deter squirrels(Image: Getty)
“I planted daffodils all over my garden last year, and the squirrels have not returned. I’ve been fighting them for years, but this has finally done the trick. I also heard marigolds work well, my mother has loads in her garden.”
Kathy Griffin similarly recommended marigolds, insisting they were the ones that worked for her, reports the Express.
Squirrels steer clear of daffodils because the bulbs contain toxins, specifically lycorine, which are harmful and taste bitter to them.
These compounds act as a natural defence mechanism, causing squirrels to recoil and avoid consuming them.
As for marigolds, these plants emit a bold, distinctive scent that overwhelms their senses, concealing the aromas of bulbs, vegetables, and fruit.
Lavender also has a powerful fragrance that humans adore, but squirrels detest.
Many gardeners also maintain that lavender is an effective deterrent for rats, foxes and cats.
Marigolds and daffodils are perfectly suited to growing in pots, meaning you can effortlessly relocate them around the garden should another area fall victim to the animals.
Alliums, hyacinths and geraniums also all contain compounds that are toxic or unpalatable to squirrels.
If you find your tulips being dug up, simply plant them among alliums, hyacinths, or geraniums to make the spot less inviting to these persistent diggers.
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