As a homeowner trying to grow a lush, green lawn, one of the most frustrating things is when squirrels dig up and eat newly planted grass seed. I’ve been there – eagerly waiting for those first little sprouts to emerge, only to find dirt pits and bare patches where seed used to be
If you’ve dealt with these furry little thieves ruining your landscaping projects, you’re probably wondering do squirrels really eat grass seed, and if so, how much damage can they cause? After battling squirrels in my own yard, I decided to find out everything I could on the subject Here’s what I learned about the seed-eating habits of squirrels, plus some great tips for keeping them away from your lawn
Why Squirrels Love to Feast on Grass Seed
Squirrels are always on the hunt for food to fuel their high-energy lifestyle. When it comes to grass seed, there are a few key reasons it makes such an enticing snack:
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It’s a concentrated food source. When you spread grass seed, it’s in a dense pile – making it easy for squirrels to grab a quick meal.
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High in nutrients. Grass seed is full of protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. It’s a nutritious dietary supplement.
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Tastes good. Squirrels enjoy the flavor of most grass seed varieties. It’s a good food source because it tastes good and is good for you.
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Easy to dig up. Grass seed is not buried deep in the soil, so squirrels can rapidly dig it up and devour it.
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Seed caching. For later use, squirrels often hide seeds and nuts, or “cache” them. Your grass seed may become part of their stockpile.
You can keep your lawn safe by learning why squirrels like to eat grass seed. Let’s now look at how much harm these fuzzy bandits can do.
Shocking Amount of Seed One Squirrel Can Consume
You might be surprised to learn just how much seed a single squirrel is capable of eating. According to research, one squirrel can consume around 3 ounces of seed per day under laboratory conditions.
Out in your yard, a hungry squirrel may be able to eat even more. Small amounts of seed spread over 1,000 sq. feet or more provide the perfect self-serve squirrel buffet. It doesn’t take them long to wipe out vast areas of freshly laid seed, leaving unsightly patches of bare dirt and scrappy sprouts.
The amount of seed loss will vary based on factors like the number of squirrels, availability of alternative foods, seeding rate, and time since application. It’s imperative to act quickly at the first sign of squirrel digging to prevent total destruction. Now let’s go over proven ways to stop these greedy little seed snatchers.
10 Clever Tactics to Stop Squirrels From Eating Seed
Fortunately, there are many clever DIY solutions and commercial products available to deter marauding squirrels and keep your grass seed protected. Here are the top 10 methods I’ve found effective:
1. Apply smelly repellents – Repellents containing castor oil, garlic, or capsaicin (the chemical that makes chili peppers spicy) can deter squirrels from even entering your yard. Reapply after rain.
2. Install physical barriers – Chicken wire, hardware cloth, or plastic netting can create squirrel-proof enclosures around seeded areas. Bury edges several inches into the soil.
3. Scare them away – Motion activated sprinklers, predator decoys, noise makers, and other scare tactics will frighten squirrels off. Move them around frequently.
4. Use starter fertilizer – Phosphorus-rich starter fertilizer helps grass seed germinate quickly, reducing the window squirrels have to eat it.
5. Apply filler seed first – Give squirrels a decoy meal by spreading cheap filler seed like annual ryegrass before your real seed.
6. Feed them elsewhere – Create a squirrel picnic area far from seeded zones, with corncobs, peanuts, or bird seed to divert their attention.
7. Time seeding before rain – Squirrels don’t like digging in wet soil. Rain also presses seed safely into the ground.
8. Allow supervised dog access – Most squirrels steer clear of yards with dogs present. Just be sure your pooch doesn’t damage the lawn.
9. Trap aggressive squirrels – For severe infestations, it may be necessary to trap problem squirrels and legally relocate them at least 5 miles away.
10. Reseed damaged spots – Fill in bare patches by reseeding with new seed protected by barriers. Be persistent and patient!
With creativity and diligence, you can outsmart these clever seed stealers. Don’t surrender your lawn to the squirrels!
Frequently Asked Questions About Squirrels and Grass Seed
Here are answers to some common questions homeowners have about keeping their grass seed safe from squirrels:
Should I kill or harm squirrels ransacking my seed?
Absolutely not! There are humane ways to deter squirrels without causing them injury. Poison, weapons, and other harm should always be avoided.
What is the most effective natural squirrel repellent?
Castor oil and capsaicin-based repellents are very effective and safe. Also, plants like garlic, lavender, and marigolds planted around the perimeter of your lawn can help repel squirrels.
How soon after seeding should I apply repellents?
It’s smart to apply natural repellents immediately after laying seed, before squirrels start investigating. Reapply every few days until grass is 2-3 inches tall.
What type of fencing or netting works best?
Burying hardware cloth, chicken wire, or plastic netting at least 3-4 inches underground provides an effective seed barrier. Just be sure to leave no gaps wider than 1/2 inch.
Is it okay to relocate trapped squirrels?
Yes, as long as you release them at least 5 miles from your property. Be sure to check your state’s laws and only use humane traps.
The Bottom Line: Protect Your Seed and Your Sanity
Once those busy squirrels set their sights on your newly planted grass seed, they can quickly undo hours of hard work, leaving your lawn patchy and sparse.
While it may take some trial and error, vigilant monitoring, and adaptation as squirrels outsmart your deterrents, you can safeguard your seed. In time, you’ll be rewarded with the lush, beautiful lawn you deserve.
Just don’t let the squirrels drive you nuts. With flexible, creative solutions, a commitment to humane squirrel deterrence, and a lot of patience, you can grow the lawn of your dreams.
So if you spot a shifty squirrel eyeing your yard, take action right away. Use these tips and techniques to discourage seed theft and protect your landscaping investment. A flawless lawn is worth the effort required to outsmart these clever little garden bandits!
Many gardeners despair at the sight of a cheeky squirrel scuttling around their precious gardens, scratching at the lawn and making little holes in the turf.
Squirrels aren’t your typical culprit when it comes to lawn destruction. That doesn’t mean that they aren’t known to do some damage. Whether it’s making holes in the lawn or stealing food from our birdfeeders, the swift and nimble squirrel can be a challenge.
Squirrels like to chew on a lot of different things, so don’t be too shocked if they take a quick bite out of your flowers and other plants. You may also notice that they can chew on wooden decks and furniture. Fruits, nuts, and seeds make up most of their diet, and most of the problems they have are with finding and storing food.
Squirrels mostly damage the lawn by digging up the acorns and nuts which they’ve stashed there in the past or the gardeners’ prized bulbs. If it’s the latter, that’s adding insult to injury but generally the holes are fairly small in diameter and shallow, so don’t tend to cause any long-term issues. Any small holes can be fixed by adding soil, raking lightly, and then pressing down some seed. If the conditions are right, the grass should grow back quickly.
There are things you can try if the furry tailed fiend is causing havoc
- Protect vulnerable trees or bulbs. During times when squirrels are active, like spring and fall, you might want to cover smaller fruit and nut trees with netting to keep them safe. Some people put wire mesh around bulbs in their flower beds so the bulbs can grow but the squirrels can’t get to them. You should avoid giving squirrels tulip and crocus bulbs because they like them. Instead, plant daffodils or mint, which they hate.
- To avoid temptation, don’t feed your pets outside so that no food remains behind. Also, make sure that the bins are properly sealed so that wildlife doesn’t get inside and start looking for food.
- Many of the common ways to scare off wildlife depend on the animal being active at night. Use decoys instead. Since squirrels are also active during the day, motion-activated lights don’t really work to keep them away. But because squirrels are afraid of owls, some people have said that fake owls in the garden work well to keep squirrels away.
- Keep wooden buildings safe. If squirrels are nibbling on your decking or chairs, try rubbing them with a bar of soap or a capsaicin-based repellent.
- To keep them from stealing bird food, don’t give them seed mixes with sunflower seeds, which are a favorite of theirs, and think about getting bird feeders that are squirrel-proof. Some people have had success (and a lot of fun) keeping squirrels from climbing up an upright pole if they have a bird feeder that stands alone. You could also make your own baffle and add it to your existing bird feeder. You can find some creative ideas on YouTube.
Meanwhile, others will be more sanguine about the whole thing and enjoy the spectacle of a squirrel prancing about between the holes he or she has made. This latter group have also suggested that the small holes left behind might even be helping with aeration! In any case, we would not recommend the third suggested solution; the use of lethal force. Whether this is by air rifle or lethal trap, it will only be a temporary fix as (like all rodents) squirrels breed profusely. As soon as one individual is taken out of the picture, another will be ready to take his or her place in the eternal circle of life. Much to the frustration of the poor gardener!