Squirrels digging in my pots

[Tomato Head]

I suspected squirrels would be a problem for me as there are loads of them around here, especially out the back. They are digging in my containers - so far only my flowers as the veg out the back is, so far, in a cloche greenhouse. But I do plan to put more stuff out there and it cant' all go in the greenhouse. I suspected they were digging in my buddleia and hydrangea pots due to the compost scattered on the ground around them and I've just caught a squirrel head first in the buddleia and digging away. How can I deter them? Will putting some gravel or bark chips on the top work or do I need more drastic measures.

[rustylady]

Wire mesh over the top of the pots?

[eirish]

Dried blood on top of the soil helps too.

You have my sympathies - some years ago I came home to find pots overturned, kicked off the balcony, all the plants chewed off at the base. A blasted squirrel had decided to make itself a cosy little nest in one of my big pots using the gnawed-off carcasses of my other plants. It was just sitting there, all snuggled in, looking at me innocently.

I took a broom to it - it was lucky it wasn't squirrel pie for supper, despite me being a vegetarian at the time.

[Tomato Head]

You have my sympathies - some years ago I came home to find pots overturned, kicked off the balcony, all the plants chewed off at the base. A blasted squirrel had decided to make itself a cosy little nest in one of my big pots using the gnawed-off carcasses of my other plants. It was just sitting there, all snuggled in, looking at me innocently.

That's funny! Although I'm sure it wasn't at the time.

Hmm - I wonder what roast squirrel tastes like. I'm all for free food and nobody would miss a few where I am. It's a double whammy for me too as when they're "playing" on my window sill and in my plant pots they get my cats all excited so they rush to the window on the inside and knock over my indoor pots in the process

[GardenFaery]

Another case of get a greyhound/lurcher!