Squirrels are adorable, but chewed-up tree bark and half-eaten plantings aren’t. From damaged vegetation, to stripped bark and holes in the soil, learn the signs of squirrels digging in your yard before it’s too late.
Squirrel sightings
Squirrels are most active in the early morning and early evening to dusk. Griffin Dill at the University of Maine Extension points out that you might notice squirrels running along rooflines or raiding your bird feeder. They may also be looking for food in your yard or even seeking shelter in your home.
“It’s important to secure food sources like bird feeders, compost piles, and trash bins, and to seal up any openings that might allow them into homes or sheds,” Dill says.
Squirrels frequenting your yard are not immediately a reason to panic. According to Dill, most lawn damage can be fixed with a little cleanup and reseeding..
David Mizejewski, head naturalist and media ambassador of the National Wildlife Federation, agrees.
“In fact, the presence of native rodent species means you’ve created a nice ecosystem,” he says. “They disperse plant seeds, feed on insect pests, aerate the soil, and serve as a food source for other wildlife, including owls, hawks, and foxes.
“Squirrels might occasionally dig up the ground to bury a nut but don’t really affect lawns or landscape plants,” he adds.
Damaged vegetables, fruit, and bark
When I was in high school, my English teacher once likened me to a squirrel for eating nuts and accidentally scattering them all over the floor. And honestly, he wasn’t wrong.
“The one area where native rodents such as voles, squirrels, gophers, and groundhogs can sometimes be pests is in vegetable gardens,” says Mizejewski. “Enclose your planting beds in chicken wire or metal hardware cloth.”
Dill cautions that squirrels are also notorious for stripping tree bark. Sometimes, they do it in a circular pattern called girdling. Protect your shrubs and trees with mesh, hardware cloth, or tree guards.
Small holes and soil mounds
“Look for holes in the lawn,” says Dr. Susan Barton, professor and extension specialist of the University of Delaware. She cautions that squirrels like to bury nuts in these holes. They’re normally 1 to 4 inches wide, but only 1 to 2 inches deep. The creatures may also leave food items half-buried in the ground.
Fresh soil mounds usually accompany the holes. Of course, other rodents dig too, but if you’re also finding scattered nuts and gnawed fruit, chances are you’ve got squirrels running the show. On a positive note, Dill advises that you can simply smooth over small squirrel holes.
FAQ
Squirrels dig the most holes in the fall to store their nuts for the winter, and in the spring, when they dig them up. However, digging can happen year-round.
Yes, planting strong-smelling alliums like garlic and onions may help deter squirrels.
Laws vary significantly by state and municipality, making it crucial to contact your local state wildlife agency before acting. Relocating animals may kill them due to the unfamiliar territory.
What to do next
As we heard from Mijezewski and Dill, squirrels are generally not something to lose sleep over. They can cause a mess, sure, but they won’t ruin your lawn. Protect your plantings and smoothen the soil, and you should be fine.
However, if you need help with pest control, mowing, weed removal, find a pro from LawnLove to help you out.
Main Image: A gray squirrel is digging in a grassy lawn. Photo Credit: shaftinaction / Adobe Stock
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