Yes, squirrels eat flowers. Squirrels are omnivores- meaning they eat plant food and meat— including flowers! Here are some signs of squirrels in your flower garden: if you see droppings near flower beds or other areas where food items are stored, squirrels love trees – watch out for them around yours!
Kinds of Flowers Squirrels Like to Eat
Tulips
Tulips are a popular garden flower that is easy to access, loved by squirrels for their sweet taste, and can be planted in other flowers, too, if you want. If you see your tulips getting raided or eaten, the best thing to do is remove them before they get entirely devoured.
Rhododendrons
If you live in an area with lots of squirrels, it’s best to keep your rhododendrons trimmed back, so they aren’t constantly at risk of being eaten. So as long as you keep your rhododendrons well-fed (in terms of both nutrients and calories), there is little chance that squirrels will harm them!
When they start raiding your rhododendrons in the springtime for their food source – seeds – watch closely. They also like other flowering shrubs such as azaleas, dogwoods, and Japanese maples. So if you have these plants in your garden, keep an eye on them all season long to ensure no squirrels get away with any of your flowers!
Hostas
If you have hostas in your garden, keeping them well-watered and free of weeds is essential. This will make it harder for the squirrels to reach and feed on them. Even though squirrels are natural scavengers, eating hostas is just one of their dietary habits – so don’t be alarmed if you see this happening!
Hydrangeas
Squirrels enjoy hydrangea flowers, too – so watch out if you have any in your garden! These furry rodents love anything with a strong sweet fragrance, including tulips, daffodils, roses, etc. So beware if you happen to own any of these types of flowers!
Hibiscus
If you have hibiscus in your garden, keep an eye out for squirrels – they may be raiding your flowers! Older and more mature hibiscus plants aren’t as prone to being raided, but a squirrel is likely responsible if any flower is damaged or eaten.
Younger and softer-looking hibiscuses are usually the most susceptible to attack. If you spot a squirrel stealing flowers from your garden, don’t waste time trying to chase them away; close the flower off so the critter can’t get inside and eat all your hard work!
Forsythia
If you have forsythia plants in your garden, keeping an eye on them is essential, as squirrels can be destructive! The leaves, flowers, and fruit are all great snacks for these animals; in fact, one study found that squirrels consume up to 18% of the annual growth rate of forsythia shrubs!
Knock Out Roses
If you have roses in your garden, it’s essential to keep an eye on them, as squirrels can be quite destructive when it comes to eating them. This is mainly because they are full of sugar and other nutrients the squirrels love. However, there are a few things that you can do to prevent this from happening – by keeping your rose bushes well manicured or using deterrents such as bird feeders.
Monkey Grass
Monkey grass (Aegilops dumosa) is a type of flowering plant that you can find growing in gardens and parks all around the world. The squirrels don’t usually eat this plant, although its large leaves and high sugar content make it an excellent food source.
Petunias
If you have a garden with petunias, it’s essential to watch out for squirrels as they may start chowing down on your plants. Petunias are a great source of essential nutrients such as carbohydrates and vitamins A & C, which make them attractive to squirrels. In addition, their bright colors and fragrances entice these rodents even more!
Sunflower Plants
If you have a sunflower garden, be on the lookout for squirrels! These animals love to raid gardens and eat all the plants indiscriminately. That includes your sunflower plants too! Since squirrels don’t discriminate between different types of plants, they will also feast on flowers in your garden.
Kinds of Plants That Keep Squirrels Away
Squirrels can be a nuisance in any garden, but especially in those that contain flowers. If you’re looking to keep them away, here are a few plants that will do the trick:
Alliums
Alliums are a type of plant that squirrels typically avoid because they contain chemicals that repel the rodents. Allium plants include onion, garlic, leek, and chives – all of which squirrels find repellent. Including alliums in your garden can help keep them away!
Bleeding Heart
Bleeding heart plants are one of the best deterrents for squirrels. If you live in an area frequented by these rodents, planting them near your home will help keep them at bay. The key to this plant’s success is ensuring no squirrel activity around it; otherwise, they’ll soon learn how to get their food elsewhere!
Crocus
A few plants can help keep squirrels away from flowers, one of which is the crocus. Planting these plants around your flower gardens can help prevent damage caused by squirrels. Other plants that keep squirrels away from flowers include yarrow, daffodil, and lavender.
Daffodils
Daffodils are one of the best choices for gardeners who want to keep squirrels away. Squirrels don’t like the taste of daffodils, so they refuse them as a snack.
Fritillaries
Fritillaries are a type of flower that squirrels avoid. A few fritillaries in your garden will keep the squirrels away! You can also place them around the edge of your property to keep pests at bay. Their brightly colored petals and stems make them an easy target for the critters.
Galanthus
If you’re looking for a plant that squirrels will stay away from, look no further than Galanthus! Its brightly colored flowers are difficult to grab and eat, while the thistle-like leaves make it an unattractive option for them. This flower garden adds beauty and vibrancy to your garden and can also help keep the squirrels at bay!
Geraniums
Gardener’s dilemma – squirrels, love to eat plants, but geraniums have a strong smell that deters them. Geraniums are an excellent plant for repelling squirrels. Not only will their scent keep them away, but you can also install bird repellents or spikes around your plants to deter them from stealing your fruit or flowers. If you have a garden with flowers, make sure to include geraniums, as they are a perfect choice!
Hyacinth
Hyacinths are a great option if you’re looking for a plant that can help deter squirrels from digging around in your garden. Ensure your hyacinth is healthy and growing well – neglecting it or having it look unhealthy will likely result in squirrels avoiding it altogether.
Marigolds
Marigolds are a great flower to keep squirrels away from your garden. Not only do they have a strong scent that deters them, but marigolds grow well in low light conditions and can be planted around your garden to provide shade. Marigolds are one of the best plants for repelling pests; keeping rodents at bay is vital for both you and the gardener!
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums add a splash of color and fragrance to any garden or landscape, repelling squirrels. They can also provide food for birds and other wildlife, making them an all-around excellent plant addition. Planting nasturtiums in containers is a great idea if you don’t have room for them inside – take them with you wherever you go!
Protecting Your Garden Against Squirrels
Squirrels are pesky creatures that love to raid your garden for food. To prevent this, ensure the planting area is well-mowed so that the squirrels can’t reach the fruit or seeds. You can also install an animal repellent in strategically garden areas to deter unwelcome visitors. If all else fails, use wire cages or decorative barriers to keep the squirrels out of flowers and vegetables.
Remove What Attracts Them
- To get rid of squirrels, start by removing what attracts them. This includes any fallen leaves, flowers, or plant material that may be luring them in.
- Next, clean your garden of all food items and bird feeders. This will make it difficult for the squirrels to find sustenance, and they will eventually move on.
- To ensure they don’t return, set out different types of feed to tempt them away from your plants – like fruit and nuts.
- Finally, use humane traps to capture a few squirrels for the study if necessary. Doing so will help you understand their habits and behaviors better.
Repel Them
One way to repel them is by planting flowers near your home’s entrances and windows. This will help keep them away from your food and valuables. If all else fails, try scattering seeds around the area where you’re experiencing problems with squirrels. You can also install bird feeders, sprinklers, or a loud noise generator to create a deterrent.
Distract Them
When distracting squirrels, you can use the following:
- Use devises to use loud noises or bright lights to scare squirrels away from bird feeders and flowers.
- Please ensure the food and toys are high-value items that the squirrels want to get their hands on.
- Position your flowers in areas they’re most likely to visit, such as near a window or climbing up a tree.
- Lastly, one way to protect flowers is to distract the squirrels by setting out a bowl of food or toys.
Protect Your Harvest
Gardening can be fun and rewarding, but it’s essential to take precautions to protect your harvest. Teach children about gardening so they can help protect their garden space too.
- Plant flowers away from trees and tall vegetation to protect them from squirrels.
- Use bird netting or mesh screening to keep small animals out of the plants while growing, flowering, and fruiting.
- Store your harvest in a safe place, such as an outdoor container or inside when not in use.
Cover Bare Soil
If you’re worried about squirrels damaging your flowers or plants, there’s a simple solution – cover the soil with mulch! Mulch will help to deter squirrels from eating your plants or flowers. If there are no plants or flowers in the area, squirrels may start to eat them. This can cause damage to the plant and possibly death. So, make sure to put up a fence around your garden to protect your plants and keep squirrels at bay!
Squirrel Fences
You can install many different fences, so it’s essential to choose the right one for your needs. Some types of fences are more effective than others, so it’s essential to consult with a professional if you need to know which one would be best for your situation.
In addition, squirrels are intelligent animals and will figure out how to get around a fence. So, installing a fence is the best way to prevent squirrels from raiding your flower garden. Doing so will not only keep them out, but it will also protect your garden from damage.
Plant, Bulb, and Tree Protection
Squirrels may be cute and cuddly, but they can damage your plants if they’re not careful! Keep them safe by using deterrents like bird netting or spikes, planting bulbs near the ground, and keeping fruiting trees well away from your plants. Monitor your garden regularly to ensure everything is safe, and have fun watching squirrels try to figure out how to get to the food!
