I have a squirrel problem. They come and dig up my plants. I live in an apartment, I grow everything in pots. They have uprooted several plants now. I bought squirrel repellent bags and put them around the pots but that does not seem to work. Does anyone have any other possible solutions?

I use peppermint oil to keep squirrels out of my planters. Normally I spray a solution mixed with water to keep wasps etc away, but for digging squirrels, I use the straight oil. I'll use a cotton pad with a few drops of the oil on it, and then use some cheap bobby pins to hold it sitting above the soil. When they start digging around my tulips, I just put several drops directly on the soil above the tulip.

Another trick I've read and tried and also works is to place human hair in the planters. I often save the hairs pulled from my hairbrush just for this and hold them on top of the soil again with cheap bobby pins.

Put rocks or some other barrier, such as wire mesh, on the soil surface. You can buy "fancy" rocks
in various colors for that, if you don't like the look of plain ones. As often as not, those varmints are just trying to bury the peanuts & stuff that a lot of misguided folks put out for the wildlife, so maybe you can talk your neighbors into not doing that.

Hi & welcome! Agree about the rocks. That solution is in the pic.

Alternately, you can stick some plastic forks in the pots with the tines sticking up, or a tiny forest of toothpicks or other small sticks, unfolded paper clips. Anything that would make the soil surface too uncomfortable to step in.

I use rocks that are close to half the diameter of the pot surface.
Press them into the soil at least half way, surrounding the plant's stem, to make a pretty tight surface sort of like stepping stones. After a season or two, the rocks meld right in and look like they belong. You can add other smaller plants around the rocks, like sedums for instance. It adds a nice aesthetic touch and it works.

and I see some rocks right there.

aherr11 said: I have a squirrel problem. Does anyone have any solutions?

So cute!

My cats catch and eat squirrels...
I've caught them in havahart traps...

One year.... I had walnuts and pecans planted in rows out in the veggie garden... Squirrels went down the rows and dug every single nut up and ate them...

I wanted those!

I've placed wire mesh down over the beds that I was trying to protect from digging activity... that worked well enough.

I'd probably go with the rocks to start... seems the easiest.

You know... If you try trapping?
They taste like duck...

Coat with flour, fry in some oil, after oil is soaked up. add water, make a gravy / sauce... pretty yummy if you cook until tender.

https://georgiawildlife.blog/2...

Here's my solution to a serious squirrel problem that I had. I have organized a squirrel vacation plan. I have a friend who's home place has been converted to a tree farm. It is several miles from the nearest town, probably 10 acres of hardwood, with the remainder in planted pines. There is a beautiful pond that I have spent many days fishing. It is quiet and serene, just the perfect place for squirrels. I notify the squirrels that I offer them a one weeks vacation to this idyllic location, completely free of charge. I will trap them in my live trap, transport them to the site, and release them. After one week, I will return, and transport them back to my home, also free of charge.
I must admit that squirrels are some of the most selfish ungrateful little animals that I know of. I have yet to have one meet me at the agreed location and time for the ride back to my plant stand filled with lush potted plants.
I know, some will say that it is not legal to transport fur bearing animals without a permit, in many locations, but (I) have been assured by my friends in local law enforcement that they would never impede such a humane and charitable arrangement as mine.
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Here's one finishing off the cherry tomatoes. This is an enterprising Arizona rock squirrel, they're just as much a nuisance as the tree squirrels, they get quite tame, and they're really cute.

Bill