Advice
Why Are Squirrels Digging Up My Lawn?
Oct
As the nights draw in and the temperature drops we often see more grey squirrels. It’s not because there’s been a sudden population boom or more squirrels have moved into your area; it’s because the behavior of the grey squirrel changes as autumn arrives.
As winter sets in the amount of natural food available dramatically reduces. Some species hibernate through the winter to avoid the risk of running out of food such as Dormice. However, squirrels don’t hibernate although it’s often assumed that they do. Squirrels are capable of a few days of deep sleep when the weather is bad but they can’t last without food. This is where storing food comes into play. During the autumn squirrels will collect as much food as they can and bury it in multiple locations in the ground. This allows them to come back in the winter and dig up a meal without wasting energy looking for food that might not be there.
This is great for the squirrel but it’s not great for your well kept lawn, especially when a single squirrel is capable of burying 3000 nuts a year! Although squirrels are great at finding their stores they can also forget or the food could be stolen so the squirrel could dig multiple holes looking for their nut.
Another reason you may see a squirrel digging up your garden is to get at bulbs. Squirrels love to eat bulbs and they have a particular appetite for tulip and crocus bulbs. Other than trapping or shooting the only way to keep squirrels off of spring bulbs is to use a net or cage that can’t be chewed. However, a net won’t be cheap and it won’t look pretty.
If you have a high number of squirrels in your garden then it may be worth planting other species until the squirrel numbers are reduced.
If squirrels aren’t burying food in your lawn then it’s likely they’re digging it up. They will do this throughout the winter when they are finding their stores that they buried in the autumn. squirrels are normally very good at finding the exact spot that they buried something, but sometimes they get it wrong and will dig multiple holes looking for a lost nut.
It can be extremely frustrating to see all of your hard work in the garden ruined by squirrels. Unfortunately, without lethal control the problem won’t get any better; especially if your lawn is being dug up.
There are however a couple of methods you can use to prevent squirrels from digging up your bulbs. For example, laying chicken wire on top of your bulbs before they emerge. This will allow the plants to grow through the wire and stop the squirrels from digging. Another method would be to place a wire cage over the bulbs and remove it once they have emerged.
If you choose to go down the route of lethal control, then always remember that dispatching an animal shouldn’t be taken lightly. You should always use the most humane squirrel trap possible.
I use a large rat trap with a little bit of peanut butter. Catches them all the time. After getting a few of them your lawn will be left alone.
Having had my lawn extensively scarified and completely reseeded , I am watching it being destroyed by squirrels .
I have had my trap delivered today and would seek advice as to location for fixing , What height and which direction ???
You early reply appreciated
Regards
John Watts
Are squirrel traps safe to use in a residential garden with small children or cats around?
Hi Ed,
Thanks for reaching out.
The traps are indeed safe around cats and dogs. Regarding children, they should be informed not to touch the trap, and the trap should be placed high enough so that they are unable to reach it.
Very best,
GNT UK
Can you buy the A18 trap from a USA supplier? Can you buy a A18 trap from your company in the uk? How do I pay in euros or does the credit card company handle that? Thanks
Good day, Stephen; at present, the A18 is not approved for use in the United States. As a UK supplier, the best place to keep updated would be http://www.goodnature.co
Thanks, Stephen. Have a great day.
Best,
GNT UK