Expert: Jonathan Wright - 6/10/2007

Question
Any advice on how to stop the squirrels from eating my tomato plants?  I have four potted plants on my deck which is a split level deck/balcony.  The plants are on the upper level.  What should I do?????

Answer
Dear Kevin

Thanks for your question. I also wish to thank the contributors of the websites I used.

The Humane Society of the United States (http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/urban_wildlife_our_wild_neighbors/solving_problems_...) has various suggestions. You could use plastic or metal umbrella-shaped baffles above the plants to keep the squirrels at bay. The site does not recommend using sticky stuff (thick, sticky, gel-like material that covers surfaces on which squirrels might walk), hot stuff (capsaicin from hot peppers) and electrical currents, which cause pain although the site says they don’t seem to cause lasting harm to squirrels.

Hints and Things (http://www.hintsandthings.co.uk/kennel/general.htm) says you can wrap aluminium collars around larger plants or use a fine wire mesh wrap. Some countries protect squirrels and you may only be allowed to trap them live and relocate them. Other countries do not allow relocation. Repellents are a short-term solution and must be constantly renewed. You can apply cayenne pepper around the plants or spray squirrel repellent on them. You can also use rags soaked in ammonia or socks filled with mothballs. You can make repellent using a small bottle of hot pepper sauce, mixed with a gallon of water and a teaspoon of mild liquid detergent such as dishwashing detergent. Spray it on your tomato plants. Alternatively, you can place a handful of hot peppers in a large container and add a quart of boiling water. Let the peppers soak overnight. Strain the peppers from the water and add a few drops of mild dish detergent to make a spray to protect the plants.

Pest Help UK (http://www.pesthelp.co.uk/weshop/squirrels.asp) has information about traps and ultrasonic repellents. There are also water sprays, which are activated by the motion of animals. Critter-repellent (http://www.critter-repellent.com/squirrel/squirrel-repellent.php) has information about repellents.

AAAnimal Control (http://www.aaanimalcontrol.com/squirrelrepellent.htm) says that squirrel repellents may or may not work. These include fox or coyote urine and moth balls. Ultrasonic sound emitters that make a high-pitched noise may be useless. The site recommends contacting a pest control company to remove the squirrels. Please note that if your remove animals from an area, they may be replaced by other individuals of the same species. This is why it is important not to attract animal pets.

I have seen little greenhouses for sale in England. I wonder if you kept your tomato plants in a small greenhouse, too small for a squirrel to enter, this may be a solution. Please note, I’m not a gardener and I’ve never grown tomatoes.

Please take care before using chemicals and check with your local authority if you are allowed to do so legally. Pets and children can become very ill near some chemicals, such as mothballs.

Please note that I can't guarantee that any of these ideas will work, but I hope that you have success with your tomato plants.

All the best

Jonathan