In This Article Show
I love wildlife — birds, butterflies, bees… but squirrels? They test my patience every single year. One minute I’m admiring my freshly planted flowers or veggie seeds, and the next, a squirrel’s turned it into a dirt playground.
They dig, they bury snacks, and sometimes I swear they’re just doing it for fun. After a few seasons of ruined seedlings and scattered mulch, I finally found a clever little DIY trick that actually keeps them out — without traps, poison, or anything cruel.
If squirrels keep treating your garden like a sandbox, this one’s for you.
Why Squirrels Dig (and Why It’s a Problem)
Squirrels are natural diggers. In spring, they’re searching for food. In fall, they’re hiding it. And in between? They’re curious little chaos machines.
They especially love loose soil, newly planted bulbs, and freshly mulched beds — which just happens to be exactly what most gardeners are working on.
If you’re not careful, they’ll dig up seeds before they sprout, toss mulch everywhere, and even bite off flower heads just to see what’s underneath.
The DIY Trick That Works: Chicken Wire Under the Soil
Here’s what finally worked for me — and it’s surprisingly simple.
What You’ll Need:
- A roll of chicken wire (also called poultry netting)
- Wire cutters or strong scissors
- Garden stakes or landscape pins
- Mulch or soil to cover
Step-by-Step:
- Cut the Wire: I cut pieces of chicken wire to fit the area I want to protect — usually flower beds, seedling patches, or freshly mulched spots.
- Lay It Flat Over the Soil: After planting, I lay the chicken wire flat on top of the soil. You can also lay it down first, then plant seeds through the holes if needed.
- Pin It Down: I secure the edges with garden stakes or landscape pins so it doesn’t shift around. The wire should sit snug against the soil but be covered by a light layer of dirt or mulch to hide it.
The wire stops squirrels from digging, but still lets water and sun reach your plants. It’s safe, it’s cheap, and it doesn’t harm the animals — it just makes your garden too annoying for them to bother with.
A Squirrel-Proof Garden Without the Drama
Since I started using this trick, my garden beds have stayed neat, my seeds have actually grown, and I haven’t had to chase a squirrel off my patio in weeks.
So if squirrels are driving you up the wall, give this easy DIY a shot. It’s one of the few things that’s worked for me — and my flowers are finally getting a chance to bloom in peace.
