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squirrels #679177

Asked January 17, 2021, 1:05 PM EST

I fenced my garden in last year using netting and chicken wire. I completely enclosed it. Squirrels still got in either by chewing thru netting, finding gaps or digging underneath the fence. What other recommendations could you make ? They ate all my tomatoes ! Thank you for your assistance. Kathy

Baltimore County Maryland

Expert Response

Squirrels are inquisitive, persistent and agile climbers, jumpers, and chewers. Preventing squirrel damage is difficult if you have mature trees nearby and they can climb/jump into your garden. There are no easy answers for controlling wildlife in an edible garden. If your garden was completely enclosed this is a tough situation. Perhaps you can replace some of the netting with chicken wire. If getting under the fence, bury the chicken wire fence so they cannot dig under it. 

Here are some other options. Wildlife tend to feed more heavily on vegetable crops during dry seasons when little water is available. Consider putting out a container of water for the wildlife such as in a bird bath - perhaps squirrels are eating fruit for their water content.
Pick your tomatoes when they are showing their first blush of color and allow them to ripen safely on your counter at room temperature. Also, you can sprinkle the tomatoes with ground limestone and the critter may avoid them.

Feeding them peanuts, corn or other treats away from your garden. This may help to distract them. 

Here are some fencing videos https://www.youtube.com/user/UMDHGIC/search?query=fencing

Marian

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