Squirrel Wars: Defending Your Toronto Garden

How To Keep Squirrels From Destroying Your Plants and Vegetables

How To Keep Squirrels From Destroying Your garden
How To Keep Squirrels From Destroying Your garden

People love their plants. Gardeners spent a lot of time caring and tending to their vegetable beds, grow plants, and flowers, so when squirrels attack individual plants or eat the vegetables, dig up their bulbs, and basically cause havoc in the backyard, unless you have one of the squirrels’ natural predators outside 24-7, it’s time to keep squirrels away by any means possible

Why you need to protect your garden beds from Toronto’s Eastern Gray Squirrels

Problems squirrels cause in urban Toronto gardens.

    • Bulb theft (especially tulips, crocuses and newly planted bulbs) – these animals love to dig up bulbs, sometimes they will sometimes rebury them in other parts of your lawn to eat later
    • Container garden damage – Use row covers or hardware cloth to protect your fruit and veggies, bury at least 6” along the edges to prevent squirrels from digging under to get to their favorite foods
    • Fruit and Vegetable raids – If left exposed, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, leafy greens, all of these foods are a buffet for squirrels

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    Toronto Squirrel Behaviour

    Why Toronto squirrels like your garden

    • Year round food in an urban vegetable garden – tomatoes, leafy greens, cucumbers, etc,
    • Nesting opportunities in older neighbourhoods
    • Urban adaptation patterns

    Seasonal behaviour in Toronto’s climate

    • Spring bulb-digging (March-May)
    • Summer garden raiding (June-August)
    • Fall food caching (September-November)
    • Winter survival (December-February)

    Signs of squirrel activity in Toronto gardens

    • Shallow holes (they bury acorns and chestnuts)
    • Container disturbance – holes in your garbage can, trash on the ground
    • Partially eaten veggies and fruit on the ground
    • Potted plants and flowers disturbed
    • Freshly planted bulbs dug up

    Physical Barriers for Toronto Gardens: Chicken Wire

    Fencing the garden

    • Weather resistant mesh for Toronto winters
    • Height requirements (min 4 feet), bury at least 6”
    • Snow load considerations
    • Using chicken wire to block squirrels around plants

    Garden netting systems

    • Cold weather resistant materials
    • Removable for snow season

    Tree guards on Toronto’s mature trees

    • Metal guards for maple and oak trees
    • Deck and fence access points

    Raised garden beds

    • Toronto building code
    • Winter proof construction

    Toronto Friendly Repellents: Chili Peppers, Hot Sauce, etc.

    Natural repellents for local climate

      • Cold hardy deterrent plants
      • Native plant alternatives

      Commercial repellents approved for Ontario

        • Available at local garden centers
        • Eco-friendly options
        • Predator urine (we recommend that you research how this is collected prior to purchasing)

        DIY repellents for urban gardens

          • Pet and wildlife safe
          • Year round effectiveness
          • Motion activated sprinklers and sprays
          • Spray apple cider vinegar or peppermint oil on hard surfaces to repel squirrels, will also keep rabbits away as well
          • Sprinkle a thin layer of cayenne pepper flakes around plants and bird feeders to deter squirrels
          • Mix coffee grounds and hot pepper sauce with soil or sprinkle around plants to discourage squirrels, and other animals, from digging
          • Chopped garlic sprinkled around your yard may warn squirrels and other rodents away with its smell

          Making Your Garden Unappealing

          Managing urban food sources

            • Bird feeders in Toronto yards – keep them away from houses or fences where squirrels could easily gain access
            • Neighbour’s attractants – do your neighbours secure their garbage? Do they leave pet food outside?
            • Keep your garden tidy by removing fallen fruit and veggies to discourage squirrels from hanging out

            Reduce shelter areas in urban setting

              • Property maintenance guidelines
              • Shared fence lines

              Toronto Approved Deterrents

              • Bylaw-compliant ultrasonic devices
              • Water conservation friendly sprinkler systems
              • Flashing light deterrents for residential areas
              • Hot pepper spray and hot pepper flakes around vulnerable plants to deter squirrels

              Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders

              Bird feeders are a great addition to any garden, attracting all sorts of birds. But they can also be a squirrel magnet, as they love to raid the bird food. Try switching out sunflower seeds with safflower seeds, as squirrels will not eat these. Wrap aluminum foil around the pole of the feeder, making it harder for them to climb. To keep squirrels out, consider a specialized bird feeder for your yard. These feeders are designed with clever features that make it hard for squirrels to get to the seed so your bird food is for the birds.

              When choosing a squirrel proof bird feeder look for:

              • Weight activated perches: These perches collapse under a squirrel but stay up for birds.
              • Cage like enclosures: These enclosures let birds in but keep squirrels out.
              • Durable materials: Plastic or metal feeders are hard for squirrels to chew through.
              • Small openings: Feeders with small openings let birds in but keep squirrels out.

              Squirrel proof bird feeders:

              • Tube feeders with weight activated perches: These feeders close off the seed when a squirrel lands on the perch.
              • Cage feeders: Feeders with a cage around the seed compartment, birds can feed while squirrels can’t.
              • Squirrel proof feeders: Made of plastic or metal, these feeders can withstand squirrel attacks.
              • Feeders with squirrel baffles: Baffles fit over the feeder to prevent squirrels from climbing down to the seed.

              By using a bird feeder that keeps the little guys out, you can enjoy watching birds visit your feeder without the hassle of squirrels stealing the seed. This will also help keep squirrels away and make your bird seed last longer.


              Pet Considerations In Urban Toronto

              • Pet bylaws and restrictions in Toronto
              • Managing pets in shared urban spaces
              • Training pets for garden protection

              Toronto Garden Laws

              1. Toronto Wildlife Centre rules

              2. City of Toronto wildlife management regulations – check with your local department regarding regulations on trapping and releasing animals from your house or property.

              3. Professional pest control

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              Toronto Garden Maintenance Year Round

              1. Seasonal garden protection schedule
              • Spring bulb protection – bury plant bulbs deep in the soil, squirrels have a keen sense of smell.
              • Summer crop management
              • Fall cleanup – rake up any leaves, fallen fruit, or acorns and nuts on the ground from your trees
              • Winter preparation – cover plants with row covers
              • Using cayenne pepper mixed with water to repel garden pests like squirrels. Apple cider vinegar works well too. Spray on the ground around your yard. Reapply after rain for continued smell effectiveness.
              • Wrapping tree trunks with aluminum flashing or metal bands to prevent squirrels from climbing and damaging young plants and trees.
              • Hang wind chimes, or ultra sonic devices that may deter squirrels away
              1. Weather specific adjustments
              2. Snow removal considerations

              Long term garden planning

              1. Toronto climate zone (6a)
              2. Squirrel resistant plant choices
              • Native plants
              • Cold hardy varieties
              • Using Irish Spring soap to deter squirrels from garden plants
              • Using natural deterrents and physical barriers to protect potted plants from squirrels
              1. Community based prevention strategies

              Working With Your Neighbours

              1. Toronto neighbourhood guidelines

              2. Shared responsibility approaches

              3. Community garden protection


              Common Mistakes In Toronto Gardens

              • Methods that don’t work in urban environments
              • Weather inappropriate solutions
              • Bylaw infractions to avoid

              End

              Effective squirrel control and management in Toronto gardens is a balance between protecting your plants and respecting urban wildlife. Combining physical barriers and natural repellents with seasonal adaptation techniques can minimize squirrel damage. Community-based efforts and long-term sustainability are key to fostering neighbourhood-wide solutions, ensuring garden protection while reducing environmental impacts.

              By leveraging local resources like nurseries, the Toronto Wildlife Centre, and community gardens, gardeners can access valuable expertise and advice. Additionally, considering cost-effective solutions tailored to Toronto’s climate ensures practicality and resilience. As squirrel behaviour evolves and climate change impacts urban ecosystems, staying informed about new technologies and methods will be essential. By building on what works and collaborating with your community, you can cultivate a thriving, squirrel-resistant garden while contributing to a balanced approach to urban wildlife management.

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