Squirrel Digging in Garden

They hate the smell of strong herbs. Sprinkle cayenne pepper. They don't like to walk on chicken wire.

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Yes there is a way! I built a 'cage' over my blueberries last year (to protect them from my son). I found some stakes that were just a few inches higher than the plants, and then put some 'bird block' plastic netting over them and used twist-ties to fasten them. In your case, you need to just need to make sure the stakes the aren't too tall, but tall enough for clearance. I then 'peg' the bird block to the ground so critters can't get underneath. I use spent grapevines bent like bobby-pins and just drive these into the dirt, you can just use some green garden pegs which usually hold landscape fabric.

Another idea is to use flexible greenwood from trimmed branches or bushes (I use forsythia for this) and bend them over in an arch over the plant, and criss-cross them. This will also elevate the bird block. Then peg around then sides as mentioned.

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How big is the strawberry patch? Can hubby lay some landscaping timbers or 2 x 4's around the patch in a box shape? Then you can add some garden stakes, and cover it over with wire mesh with a smaller weave or something... and nail it to the "frame".... That should keep them out.

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How about cayenne powder?

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"Deer Off"-works for squirrels, too-but I don't know if it imparts a bad taste on edible plants that have been sprayed with it.
http://www.havahart.com/store/animal-repellents/bdo12832rtu

Hello, We live out in the country and have the same problem. I was ready to shoot them last year. They can be very noisy as well. I don't have a gun and wouldn't really shoot them, they were just really becoming a big problem. Spring is here and I expect we will start to see a lot of them again. I will be reading your replies to see what other people have done.
K. K.

Not sure about this for squirrels, but I'm starting to learn more about Essential Oils and in my studies, I found that mice and rats hate the smell of Peppermint Essential Oil. It said to put it on a cotton ball and place in the areas where the little creatures hang out and they'll stay away. Just a thought!

you might want to check this out...

http://www.tesco-shopping.com/CatDogStop.htm#info

The built-in motion sensor detects a cat entering the area and emits a piercing, high decibel alarm. It startles the cat and frightens it away...It also may have some effect on squirrels and other small animals, again, no guarantees. It operates for up to nine months on one standard 9 volt battery.

Try talking to someone at your local garden store for their suggestions. You may need to build some kind of cage around them.