do squirrels eat pepper plants?

19 years ago

Some bonehead in my condo puts out peanuts for the squirrels. They wind up burying their peanuts in my potted jamaican scotch bonnets. So my plants are getting dug up, but also one plant is chewed down to the "bone." Do those little things eat the plants too? I have some other creature eating the leaves, like a grasshopper or catapillar or something...it's leaving holes, but this one plant has literally been eaten entirely down to the stem, and it's been dug up.

They were just beautiful plants. I grew them from seeds from my friend's tree... yes tree. He's Jamaican and really knows how to grow a scotch bonnet.

Creepy little rodents...his wife tells me that squirrels are really just rats in cuter outfits.

Featured Answer

stefpix

16 years ago

Same problem for me. Heard they do not like garlic/ chives etc...

Apparently solved issues by making a blend of garlic, hot peppers water and watering the plants with that and sprinlking some on the leaves.
You could try to put some chives plants here and there.

I know squirrels like certain plants and they do not care about others. The worst was when the yard was still winter looking and I had plants on my fire escape.

I do not agree they are like rats. They are more social and smart. they save the food for the winter. when they cross the street they look for cars. some interact with humans and recognize the people that feed them. They must have a stressful life with many predators. I was upset they destroyed a few plants but well they are doing what is right to surviveng what is ri

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Comments (8)

potawie
19 years ago
The little buggers will sometimes eat plants or even bite holes in pods but they won't eat seeds. If you mix chile seeds with bird seed it will keep them out of the seed but keeping them out of the soil may be more difficult. Maybe try a hot pepper spray on your plants or get a cat.
nefer
19 years ago
I had one digging in my potted pepper plants one time. I dusted hot pepper powder on the plant and the soil. When he tried to dig again, he got a nose full and jumped two feet high and took off. Never tried that again. I don't think it really hurt him, but he found a new spot to dig.
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John__ShowMe__USA
19 years ago
Squirrels are constantly burying nuts and honey locust seeds in my pepper containers or looking for ones they buried last year. My tomato containers have 2" x 4" mesh field fencing cages around them for support and it keeps them out even though I think they could easily get in if wanted to. I don't recall ever losing a plant or seedling due to them digging. Knock on wood!
John__ShowMe__USA
19 years ago
What a difference a day makes! Serves me right for mentioning it. (never lost a plant) Stinking squirrel dug up a newly planted Spanish Spice seedling by the rootball and broke the stem off. Visited at least another doz containers, dug holes, but no damage.

Now I'm mad and going to do something to repel them. Am thinking mothballs because have a box on hand, but don't know how would affect the soil as they disintegrate.

Just had a brainstorm....
sproutly
Original Author
19 years ago
I'm sorry to hear about the squirrel rebellion. They must've seen your post and thought you were getting a bit too cocky!
koolguymike
19 years ago
great results with bone/blood meal. has saved my potted herbs this year, and i have actually lost a cpl from irrisposible squirrel digging.

if that didnt work i was thinking bb gun or rat traps...
and we have atleast 5 confirmed boneheads near me who feed them (within 1/2 block)

moth balls work for some but didnt for me last year and they really stink :(
John__ShowMe__USA
19 years ago
I now have chickenwire cages around all the seedlings and think will work. The cut ends of the wire are razor sharp and I don't think the squirrels will try to get inside.

This was the first one made and have modified since took picture to fit closer to the plants by bending cage to more like a water trough shape.

Next year I'll use 2" x 4" mesh field fencing for reusable barriers. A much heavier wire and more difficult to work with. I opted for getting it done quickly.

jt