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Gardening

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Senseless decapitation - squirrel deterrent??

9 replies

NegroniMacaroni · 19/07/2025 12:13

Our 4yr DS planted two sunflowers which we've been lovingly growing, and vigilantly protecting from enemies (we assumed slugs to be the primary threat).

Today one of the sunflowers finally opened up! We were so excited. Unfortunately the jubilation soon turned to desperation. Within hours our beautiful sunflower has been senselessly decapitated. It's head nibbled and wantonly abandoned a few metres away. Why??? What unholy beast did this and why do they hate joy? Our DS exclaimed 'fucking hell' (yes, we definitely need to check our language).

Anyway, now that we've cooled down my thoughts turn to the last remaining sunflower. How do we protect it? We suspect miscreant squirrels. Has anyone had luck with some kind of squirrel deterrent / scare-crow equivalent? Do pretend owls / snakes work?? Is there even any point or do we accept the inevitable?

Senseless decapitation - squirrel deterrent??
Senseless decapitation - squirrel deterrent??
OP posts:
Inthecafe · 19/07/2025 12:15

Neighbour?

pissed odd with enjoying their garden but constantly hear your 4 year old and his parents saying “fuck this and fuck that”?!

Beachtastic · 19/07/2025 12:15

ah those tree rats can be SO destructive!

Get a cat?!??!?!

RachelsPeeves · 19/07/2025 12:17

Squirrel or muntjac deer - deer decimated my strawberries and some of the my flowers - just eating the tops of the flowers/berries

Agapornis · 20/07/2025 03:22

Fucking parakeets attack my big ones - but usually a bit later in the season when there are seeds to eat.

Fucking hell is the correct reaction to a labour of love being destroyed! Admittedly I collected and imprisoned snails today, and said fuck you to all of them Grin

Lovelyview · 20/07/2025 07:39

You could try rigging up a scarer with something flappy like cds on a string or streamers on a pole. Great holiday craft activity!

Cardemomle · 20/07/2025 07:43

So annoying. We had ours protected by the bamboo rigging we set up for something else, but the squirrels are very badly behaved!

NegroniMacaroni · 20/07/2025 21:42

We've rigged up a fake owl next to the surviving sunflower, let's see what happens!
Fake snake also on the way - maybe it'll stop the neighbours cats from pooing in the beds too...

OP posts:
Shesellsseashellsnotinmystreet · 20/07/2025 21:44

Coffee grinds are great at keeping dcats out your flower beds...
And a hose works on bonking pigeons..
Ime.

NegroniMacaroni · 05/09/2025 13:15

Little update - the sunflower that was brutally decapitated back in July has since grown multiple heads! The bees are happy, and the squirrels seem to have lost interest (for now). Worked out well in the end! Smile

Senseless decapitation - squirrel deterrent??
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