How to Stop Squirrels From Eating Tulip Buds

Squirrel control options: repellents, scare tactics, or traps. For tulip buds, apply hot pepper wax spray (lasts up to a month through rain). Squirrels must taste it to be deterred, so a few buds may still be lost. Reapply as needed.

Add a shiny, wind-driven windsock for a visual deterrent — but squirrels habituate quickly. Combining both methods works better than either alone.

Where legal, live-trap persistent squirrels and relocate to a park or greenbelt. Check state regulations first. Garden centers can advise on trap size.