Question
What methods of repelling squirrels are safe for carnivorous plants?  I see several ideas on the net, including spraying Tabasco sauce, but I have no idea which are safe, and last year they ruined 5 plants, including 2 flytraps.

Answer
Hi John,

I'll start by saying there is no one quick easy answer for dealing with squirrels.  They are very intelligent, and can quickly outwit barriers.  Here's some suggestions.

First, see if any of your neighbors are feeding them.  Often the squirrels have little interest in the plants themselves, but are burying nuts in the pots.  They just don't care what they have to dig up to do that, and the soil in cp pots is nice and soft.  If you can get folks to not feed them close-by, that helps.

Netting can work if you really secure it well, and use something more substantial.  Bird netting is too flimsy, but something like chicken wire would work.  It would require building a cage around the plants.  Works great, but not the best looking.

Tabasco won't really work since they are usually not eating the plants, just digging them up.

I've had some success with sticky things.  Those sticky mouse boards, or stringing flypaper does work, it just doesn't last long in the rain.  If a squirrel gets a mouse board on it's foot, it will take it a bit to get it off, so they tend to remember that.

Although a bit expensive, Scarecrow sprinklers may be a serious consideration.  These are motion controlled sprinklers that detect movement, and turn and aim at them movement shooting water.  Here's a link:  http://www.safepetproducts.com/scarecrow-motion-sprinkler.html#.UzG7E4U4kk8

Hope this helps.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.growcarnivorousplants.com