Introduction to Deterring Squirrels from a Cherry Tree
Expert gardeners understand the challenge of keeping squirrels away from cherry trees. If a gardener is lucky enough to have a cherry tree on their property, finding a way to keep squirrels at bay is an important task as these animals are very persistent. They have become well adapted to urban life, so they will likely flock to cherry trees in search of food. Fortunately, there is a variety of methods to deter squirrels, ranging from barriers to planting strategies, depending on the individual’s garden or landscape.
Physical Barriers
Installing physical barriers is a key piece of the prevention process. Hardware cloth, also known as wire mesh, is a valuable tool gardeners can use to keep squirrels away from a cherry tree. The hardware cloth should be buried two or three feet in the ground, and then extend up two or three feet around the tree (or however far out their branches reach). This makes it more difficult for them to get to the tree’s fruit and leaves them to find food elsewhere. It creates a barrier that the animals can’t easily chew through. Additionally, squirrels are afraid of enclosed areas, so having the barrier surrounding the tree makes the area more intimidating for them.
Gardening for Repellent Plants
One way to naturally keep squirrels from a cherry tree is to plant garden elements such as herbs and vegetation to naturally keep them away. Some plants have odors and flavors that animals tend to avoid and those elements can be used to keep squirrels away. Examples of plants that act as natural squirrel repellents are sage, lavender, peppermint, thyme, rosemary, and lemongrass. Some plants can even be planted right in the hole around the cherry tree. Even if these plants weren’t enough to stop squirrels entirely, having them planting can give the animals a chance to think twice before getting on the tree.
Noise Deterrents
Using sound is another way to keep squirrels away from a cherry tree. Squirrels are small creatures and react to loud noises, so there are some products on the market specifically designed to keep them away. There are small, cylinder-shaped devices that emit a high-pitched sound that is designed to make animals feel uncomfortable. These are easy to install, but have to be placed in strategic locations and have to be properly maintained and replaced in order to be effective.
Spicy Foods
Making the area surrounding the cherry tree an undesirable place is an effective way to deter squirrels. One way to do this is to make the food they eat unappealing. Spicy foods, usually cayenne pepper, are a great way to keep squirrels away from a tree as they avoid the spiciness. People can spray the food near the tree or even directly on the tree itself. If a gardener has a bird feeder, they can also make a spicy mash for the birds in order to keep the squirrels away.
Motion Detectors
Motion detectors are a great way to keep squirrels from a cherry tree. Motion detectors are relatively inexpensive and low maintenance but can be reliably effective. These devices come in all shapes and sizes. There are even water motion detectors that emit a shot of water as soon as they sense movement. This is further incentive for the squirrels to stay away from a tree as they don’t want to get wet.
Encouraging Predators on the Property
Some animals prey on small squirrels, so having larger animals such as cats and hawks on the property can naturally reduce the cherry tree’s rodent problems. Cats will instinctively chase and hunt squirrels, though the cats need to be well-fed so that they will not be driven to hunt the animals on the property. Additionally, hawks will hunt for rodents and other small animals. While hawks will help keep the squirrels away, this option does come with some caveats from a gardener’s perspective because they can easily cause damage to plants, even a precious cherry tree.
Eliminating Access Points
One effective way to keep squirrels away from a cherry tree is to find the access points that the animals use to get on the tree. Gardens and landscapes can have plenty of nooks and crannies for squirrels to hide in, so finding and eliminating them can reduce access to the cherry tree. A gardener can easily find access points to the tree by walking around it, looking for openings or holes in fences or trees.
Portable Hot Pepper Spray
There are a bunch of organic repellents on the market available for people who want to keep the squirrels off their cherry tree. One of these is a portable hot pepper spray. Portable hot pepper spray come in small aerosol cans and are relatively easy to use. When the gardener sprays it on their cherry tree, the pepper will irritate squirrels’ noses, causing them to stay away from the tree until the spray wears off.
Choosing the Right Repellents
Gardeners wanting to keep squirrels away from their cherry tree can have a lot of options. Depending on their particular garden, a gardener might need to combine different strategies. For instance, gardeners might install physical barriers in combination with repellents, such as hot pepper spray, to make sure their cherry tree is well protected. It is important to mix and match these strategies so that the animals are deterred from the area over a long period of time as some methods are only temporary.
Multiple Traps
One way to keep squirrels away from a cherry tree is multiple traps, provided that the garden is large enough to accommodate them. Trapping squirrels can be an effective way of getting them away from the tree, provided they are set out properly and inhumanely. Traps placed under or in the cherry tree should be kept in check so that the animals will not be put through any unnecessary suffering. When the squirrels are captured, they should be released in a safe place where they can find their food elsewhere.
Feeding Animals
Feeding animals is a great way to keep squirrels away from a cherry tree. Providing food elsewhere on the property encourages them to stay away from the tree, as it takes away their motivation to look for food from other sources. Gardeners should provide a food source in one place, preferably far away from any trees, so squirrels will look for food there and leave the cherry tree alone.
Conclusion
Keeping squirrels away from a cherry tree can be a tricky process but is definitely possible with the right resources. With a combination of physical barriers, repellents, traps, and food sources, gardeners can successfully protect their beloved cherry trees and deter the squirrels from feasting on them. Expert gardeners must assess their gardens and landscapes and find the methods that work best for them.
