Squirrel proof magnolia?
Diana 7
Posts: 1
I put up with the squirrels in my garden burying nuts everywhere, digging up the lawn and my pots BUT I draw the line at them eating the buds from my magnolia. I have treasured this plant and last year it had over forty buds but after the squirrels visited I only had about six flowers to enjoy. The same happened with a peony.
Any ideas please?
0
Posts
Get yourself a Jack Russell or Dachshund, but make sure you leave the patio door open!!
In reality Diana7 you cant protect trees from squirrels,we inherited 7 magnolias some time ago, I understand your problem but as you said youv drawn the line, someone to catch and move them a LONG way away is not too difficult , the other way is someone who knows how to use an air gun safely and legally, I would try the first one first .
You would think that someone could invent something you could paint on the buds that tasts vile, like that stuff you paint your nails with to stop biting them.
You could try painting on the buds that stuff that tastes vile, the stuff you paint your nails with to stop biting them.
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It is of course ILLEGAL to trap any wild bird or animal (even mice or squirrels) and release them into the wild again.
Try the grazers spray - it works on keeping the deer off my magnolia flowers. Its effective against rabbits as well, so don't see why it wouldn't work with squirrels too. Apparently it makes things taste yuccky
Plant a sacrificial camellia. We had one flower open out of hundreds last year. They only turned to the magnolia after they had eaten all the camelia flowers.
You might try a cayenne pepper/water mixture (1 part pepper to 16 parts water) sprayed on. That can deter birds, squirrels. It can be problematic for small cats and dogs or children if used on low plants. Remember, it is cayenne pepper! It hurts when touched and rubbed on skin or eyes. Children who can access plants where this is sprayed must be cautioned. But high up on magnolia blossoms might not be a problem for pets or children.