Skewers to Keep Squirrels Out of Planting Containers

During the summer, I plant vegetables in containers and keep them on my deck. In the past, I've had a great deal of difficulty keeping the squirrels from digging up my new sprouts. A friend gave me an idea which has worked well. What you do is get a package of bamboo skewers, which usually runs about a dollar, and stick the skewers into the soil, with the points sticking up out of the soil and over the edge of the pot. This deters the squirrels from climbing into the pots to dig up the seedlings. It's worked very well, no squirrels have been injured, and my vegetables are allowed to flourish.

By Marie from West Dundee, IL

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By 04/20/2010

I am going to try this right now. I planted 6 beautiful flower pots and came home from work today and they were all dug up. It is the same squirrel- we have been battling for 2 years now. He plants his peanuts and then digs them up and vice versa. Thank you for the suggestion.

By 12/29/2007

Another good idea is to use moth crystals to keep away unwanted animals, including the neighbours cat. Just place them around your garden or pots, base of trees and you won't have anymore issues. I had to use this method to keep porcupines out of my trees.

By 06/06/2007

What a great idea. I just put four newly started avacado trees on my porch banister to enjoy the sun. The first day I went out, two were uprooted--I quickly replanted them. The next day, the pits and stems were eaten. I never thought about squirrels liking avacado pits. They left a few chewed chards in the pot for me.