Damn Squirrels have got at my bulbs Arrrrghhh!

[Starbear]

Help!! Squirrels have attacked my bulbs that I've just planted with DS. Tips needed for cheap eco-friendly solutions. DS won't blame the squirrels as they are cute and is having a go at the foxes

I put masses of ground chili flakes in my flower bed, over where the bulbs are planted. Nasty surprise for the squirrels - hee hee (evil grin). I'm sure they're singing Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" up in their little squirrel hide-outs. Chili flakes are pretty cheap and I grind them myself in the blender, much cheaper than buying cayenne pepper (which is just ground chili flakes anyway). Doesn't harm the environment, just looks a bit funny in a flower bed. And you need to replenish it after it rains.

Jacksmama, I'll give this ago. This reminds me of putting chilli on fingers to stop children biting nails AND I remember Mum thinking about it to stop my sister from peeling wall paper!! I'll give it a ago but, I do need something rain proof as well as I won't get to do it after work on a rainy day. Damn squirrel damn working interfering with my gardening.

Willow hoops are surprisingly effective, they really deter the little buggers.

Liath, How does this work? please explain?
I'll say thanks later because I MUST do some chores and not have fun here See ya later.

You can buy them & stick em in the soil where you don't want to dig. I think the brand name is "stoppit" or something like that. Apparently putting thorny twigs in works well too.

Liath, Thank you I'll give that a go soon. I hope this weekend.

Are the bulbs in pots or in the flower bed? Either way, a layer of chicken wire over the bulbs often works, as it stops the dear little wildlife from digging and the bulbs can still grow through it.