When it comes to protecting garden plants, understanding the eating habits of squirrels can be quite helpful. One common concern for gardeners with hyacinth bulbs is whether squirrels will eat them or not. Hyacinths are beautiful spring-blooming flowers, and knowing if they are at risk can help you take proper measures to protect them.
Squirrel Behavior and Diet
General Diet
Squirrels are omnivores, consuming a diverse range of food items, including fungi, seeds, nuts, fruits, and even eggs, small insects, and caterpillars as documented by Live Science. While they prefer some plants, certain bulbs like hyacinth are least likely to entice them due to their poisonous nature and bitter taste. Squirrels are known to avoid hyacinth bulbs and grape hyacinths, as mentioned by thegrowingleaf.
Seasonal Preferences
In different seasons, squirrels’ choice of food may vary depending on availability. For instance, they might feast on fresh blooms and plant bulbs during spring months. As alternatives, gardeners may consider planting bulbs like daffodils, which squirrels usually avoid due to their poisonous nature as referenced by Horticulture. Additionally, red pepper flakes sprinkled over planted bulbs can be an effective natural squirrel repellent, as suggested by The Spruce.
Hyacinth Bulbs and Squirrel Damage
While squirrels can cause damage to various types of plants and flowers, their interest in hyacinth bulbs is considerably less due to the strong scent and certain unpalatable qualities of the bulbs. Nonetheless, it is important for gardeners to be aware of the possibility of squirrel damage to their hyacinth plants.
Signs of Squirrel Damage
Though squirrels are often deterred by the powerful scent of hyacinths, they may still dig up and disturb the bulbs in search of food if other options are limited. Signs of such activity include uprooted bulbs, scattered soil, and excavated holes in the planting area.
Impact on Hyacinth Growth
When squirrels disturb hyacinth bulbs, it can negatively impact how the flowers grow. Due to the squirrels’ preference for other bulbs, such as tulips, this occurs relatively infrequently, but it can result in dislodged bulbs failing to grow, or weakened hyacinth plants with limited blooms. Protect your hyacinths by planting them alongside squirrel-resistant bulbs like daffodils, alliums, and fritillaria, which can help to detract squirrels from the area.
Prevention and Deterrent Methods
Physical Barriers
One effective method to protect hyacinth bulbs from squirrels is to install barriers such as hardware cloth or chicken wire over your planting beds. By lining the bottom and sides of the bed with this material, you can prevent squirrels from burrowing in and reaching the bulbs.
For additional protection, place sharp gravel at the bottom of the planting hole to deter voles from digging up the bulbs.
Repellents and Deterrents
There are a variety of squirrel and rodent repellent sprays available on the market to deter squirrels from eating your bulbs. However, their effectiveness varies, so conduct research and choose a product with favorable reviews.
It is also worth noting that squirrels generally avoid hyacinth bulbs due to the presence of chemicals that are toxic to mammals. Planting hyacinth and grape hyacinth bulbs can serve as a natural deterrent to keep squirrels away from your garden.
Alternative Bulbs to Plant
Squirrel-Resistant Flower Bulbs
Instead of risking hyacinth bulbs being eaten by squirrels, consider planting squirrel-resistant bulbs in your garden. Some examples of flower bulbs that are less appealing to squirrels are daffodils and fritillaria. Additionally, alliums, scilla, grape hyacinth (muscari), camassia, chionodoxa, snowdrop (galanthus), and summer snowflake (leucojum) are also avoided by squirrels and chipmunks.
Companion Planting
Another useful strategy in deterring squirrels from feasting on your bulbs is to employ companion planting. This involves planting squirrel-attractive bulbs, such as hyacinths, alongside less enticing varieties. Combining them with squirrel-resistant flowers like daffodils or alliums can potentially deter squirrels from choosing your garden as their meal source.
My name is Daniel Elrod, and I have been houseplant love ever since I was 17. I love how much joy they bring to any room in the home. I’ve always been amazed at how a few pots of flowing leaves can turn a drab and sterile office into an inviting place where people love to work at.
