chicken wire v squirrels?

[annie8]

We are building a frame on top of the raised bed that I have my strawberries in to protect them. In part from birds like pigeons but mainly against squirrels that took most of my crop last year. They are pretty determined as my bird feeders demonstrate. Originally thought of using netting over it but now looking at chicken wire. My husband says they would still get through that. Is that true do you think? I can live with losing a few but would really like a crop this year.

[Nicos]

I suppose it depends on the hole size?
A squirrel is about the same size as a rat and the adults can get through a 2" hole ... but the babies ( and mice ) can squeeze through much smaller.

I've never had problems with squirrels but my guess is that I'd try with a small gauge mesh and pin it firmly to the ground
Not sure if it's still called chicken wire but I've seen smaller meshes available.

[Kirk]

Now no guarantee of it being useful or correct but this year I bought a big tub of pelleted chicken poo and the assorted squirrels stopped digging holes to bury their assorted nuts.

Considering I dug and levelled an area of around 4 sq meters for wild flowers where they used to bury stuff the only obvious difference was the chicken poo pellets.

Added it to my raised bed and agian they have avoided that.

Just wondering if they dislike the smell, so would using similar around the strawberries be useful.

As said just something I have noticed. Suppose they could be burying things in someone elses garden in preference but I do see them along my fence as much as ever, just no holes.

[annie8]

Well I have some chicken poo pellets so will out them around the plants. Worth a shot

[Kirk]

No guarantee I suppose but it has been one of those things I have happened to notice. Especially as I dug and added compost to 2 areas for wild flowers = ideal squirrel burying ground and they used to bury stuff there. None now.

Doesn't kind of make sense but not had a squirrel made hole for 4-6 weeks, and the pelleted chicken poo is all I can think of. Especially as I see the squirrels around. So they haven't gone.

[annie8]

Got chicken wire today. The type they use for fruit cages. Did see the squirrels in the strawberry bed this morning. No fruit yet but there are a few flowers. Maybe they were planning their future feast. If that doesn't work I'll have to borrow my sons catapult.