Monday, April 21st, 2008
%#^ &#@% Squirrels!

I've been gardening for a long time but I've never had this problem. Maybe someone can help me out. Squirrels are eating the flower buds off my yellow climbing rose bush! This rose was strategically placed and is beautiful when in bloom outside our living room window. The first year it bloomed prolifically and we enjoyed it all summer long.

The problem started last year when I noticed stubs where flowers were supposed to be. Took me a few days to discover the culprits were squirrels. Because of a severe late frost last year, none of the nut trees bore fruit around here. So, I'm expecting the squirrels to be even worse this year, until this year's nut crop begins to mature.

The squirrels have already begun to strip this yellow rose bush again. I have a red climber and they aren't bothering it, so I assume the yellow ones are more delicate and tender.

Has anyone else had this problem, and if so, how have you dealt with it?
16 Comments
spike
1) My co-worker uses fox urine to keep squirrels from eating her house. Yes they eat her house. Maybe it would work if you sprinkled it around the rose bush? You can order it on-line. Also, i have heard of people spraying hot cayenne pepper and water on plants to deter rabbits, squirrels, and deer.
Spike   Monday, April 21, 2008
willnbek
2) I am not a fan of squirrels. They literally destroy things at the Mitchell compound!!!!! My shotgun and I are losing the war. They have destroyed everything from trash cans to lawnmowers.... Yes they chew on my lawnmower. We had an insured who filed a claim once because the squirrels were eating her house. A BRICK HOUSE!!!! They were chewing the morter in between the bricks to get the salt out of it and Bricks started falling out of her house.
WillnBek.com   Monday, April 21, 2008
spike
3) if you only had that Fox still! we would be in business http://www.provenrepellents.com/products.php?pid=453
Spike   Monday, April 21, 2008
_DELETED_hayley
4) i "plant" mothballs. animals don't like the smell.

maybe you could feed them instead (on purpose). i know you don't want to attract more, but at least your roses would stay beautiful.
hayley   Monday, April 21, 2008
igna83
5) My mother buys bulk peanuts and puts them all over in her "squirrel area" in the backyard - they thank her by not eating her garden and flowers. Don't know if you have a good relationship with your squirrels like she does, though; she's been in her place for over 30 years.

Oh, and Will, I have a German Shepherd Dog that would take care of your squirrel issue. : )
Angi   Monday, April 21, 2008
willnbek
6) My dawgs tell me they are too fast!!!!!!
WillnBek.com   Monday, April 21, 2008
nheinzel
7) Pegi, Steve is busy working on the garage today but I told him your problem and asked for his ideas. He said he would offer them an alternative food source (maybe corn) and then maybe they'd leave your roses alone. It's worth a try! Good luck!
!   Monday, April 21, 2008
igna83
8) Yeah, you have Danes, Will. GSDs are SO much faster and more lithe - our Kai girl can turn on a dime, but our Lab, Libby, can't keep up...too much girth. Different breeds for different jobs, you see. If only they were more trained to their specialty areas, then Libby could sneak up and flush 'em out, then Kai could nail 'em faster. HA!
Angi   Monday, April 21, 2008
ppike
9) Wow, a lot of great responses - thank you!
I will try the fox urine or other repellent first (Bob has offered to pee on the fence, since that is the pathway to the roses - but then I'd never want to smell or cut the roses!) If that doesn't work I will try offering them another food source. That really goes against my grain, as it seems I would be encouraging them and helping them "propagate," but I will try anything. We also have a problem with a ground hog that keeps entering our yard and eating any vegetables and my coneflowers! Maybe the fox urine would help there too.

Our large, mixed breed dog, Jake, has a real hunter mentality and he will go after the squirrels and the groundhog if sees them, but he only likes to be outside when WE are outside, which doesn't offer me much help! Crazy dog.
Thanks, everyone!
pegi   Monday, April 21, 2008
reera
10) Good Luck-I have planted bulbs and the squirrels evidently were watching and came right behind me and munched away. They love the red pepper and say thinak you for tha added spice. Fox urine is going to be your best bet or have Bob eat some asparagus first.
dannie   Monday, April 21, 2008
lindagsings
11) I planted a knock out rose bush last summer/fall for the first time. I am worried if it will come back this spring/summer and now that you are mentioning squirrels.... we have tons of squirrels and rabbits in our yard. Good luck with your dilemma, hope you have a solution to share :)
SA Tenor   Monday, April 21, 2008
billpearch
12) We found an eco-friendly spray called Garlic Pharm. We bought it to combat our rabbits and squirrels. Seemed to work for us.
Bill   Monday, April 21, 2008
ppike
13) Garlic Pharm - spray it on the foliage?
I'm getting my arsenal built up here.
pegi   Monday, April 21, 2008
ppike
14) OK, I have just placed my order for some fox urine for the squirrels and repel granuels for the groundhog. I'll let you all know the results.
Thanks!
pegi   Tuesday, April 22, 2008
billpearch
15) Pegi, yes. Just a little spray should keep the squirrels away. There are a few different scents, but I can't remember the others right now. We found the spray at Smith & Hawken. Not sure if there are any locations near you.
Bill   Tuesday, April 22, 2008
ppike
16) Thanks, Bill. Nope, no locations near here. We'll see how the fox urine works first!
pegi   Wednesday, April 23, 2008
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