he fence about 3 inches. Doesn’t work – they use the mesh to climb up and over. Works sometimes with individual plants like tomatoes and zucchini if the top is pressed together. They can still get at some vegetables.
- Protect trees by wrapping their trunks with metal sheeting or using baffles to keep the squirrels from climbing the tree. Remember to allow for tree growth when applying wrapping. Several friends do swear by this. This is one of our next projects.
***In the orchard to protect the trees. The ground and tree squirrels will climb and eat the blossoms in early spring and they will go after the fruit too: ***
- CATS – may keep them more cautious.
- Coffee grounds around plants – may work
- Tea leaves – may work
Both tea and coffee will improve the soil.
- Human hair around plants- unclear if this works (3/2013)
- Plants that seem to deter at RSF: rosemary, lavender (3/2013)
- Plants to try at RSF: bitter herbs and other bitter plants.
- Protect trees by wrapping their trunks with metal sheeting or baffles to keep the squirrels from climbing the tree. Remember to allow for tree growth when applying wrapping.
Finally, there is the thought that plants themselves may help in keeping desert-grown vegetables and fruit safe. So-called bitter herbs and plants may help deter squirrels. Mostly my experience has been that the squirrels will jump through the herbs (but often not eat them) and that the rabbits will wade into the midst of them to get at what they want. Sometimes the rabbits will try a new herb a few times but, disliking them, after that leave them alone. Rosemary is perhaps the best deterrent I have found. The squirrels have avoided a certain nectarine tree that has an extremely prolific rosemary plant around its base. Rosemary grows very well in the high desert with a bit of extra water.
Many of the following bitter herbs and culinary plants can be used on the home farm in cooking or as medicinal teas and extracts. We have planted many of these experimentally. We can get nearly all to grow in the high desert; some will thrive.
- Rosemary and lavender plantings have been a deterrent in the watering basin of the nectarine tree outside the patio door.
- Bitter herbs:
- For centuries, people have used Angelica (Angelica archangelica) to remedy colds and ailments such as rheumatism. Its properties make it a stimulant, stomachic, and tonic. For liquors, it’s been used to flavor gin.
- Chamomile’s (Matricaria chamomilla) curative properties include relief of both fever and restlessness. This mild bitter herb is used as a sedative and antispasmodic.
- Dandelion (Taraxacum) is a mild bitter herb used as a blood cleanser and diuretic, which is also said to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. It is still used in traditional cooking in the Mediterranean and parts of Asia.
- Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis) is a strong bitter herb used to stimulate the appetite and eliminate infections. In Collections for an Essay Toward a Materia Medica of the United States (1804), Professor Benjamin Smith Barton declared goldenseal a tonic, observing, “The root of the plant is a very powerful bitter.”
- Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) dates back to Ancient Egypt and is believed to be one of the bitter herbs mentioned in the Bible. It has been used as a treatment for colds and respiratory ailments (such as in cough syrup and throat lozenges).
- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
- Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)
- Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
- Echinacea (Echinacea spp.)
- Wild Indigo
- Meadow Sweet
- Cranesbill Geranium
- Lamb’s Ear (out here the rabbits love lamb’s ear, maybe the squirrels will not like it.
- Bitter herbs:
Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) – has many health benefits but is tropical. Bitter melon is a plant. The fruit and seeds are used to make medicine.
Bitter melon is used for various stomach and intestinal disorders including gastrointestinal (GI) upset, ulcers, colitis, constipation, and intestinal worms. It is also used for diabetes, kidney stones, fever, psoriasis, and liver disease; to start menstruation; and as s