If you’ve ever planted sunflowers, you’ve probably wondered, do squirrels eat sunflowers? The answer is a resounding yes, and often with great enthusiasm. These clever garden visitors see your tall, seed-filled blooms as a personal buffet. But understanding their behavior is the first step to managing it, so you can enjoy both the squirrels and your flowers.
This guide gives you practical, proven strategies to protect your sunflower patch. We’ll look at why squirrels are so attracted to them and offer solutions that range from simple barriers to clever distractions.
Do Squirrels Eat Sunflowers
Squirrels are opportunistic eaters, and sunflowers provide a fantastic source of nutrition for them. They don’t just eat the seeds from the mature flower head. They’ll also dig up and eat the seeds you’ve planted, nibble on young seedlings, and even chew on the stalks and leaves. For a squirrel, a sunflower plant is a multi-course meal available from spring right through to fall.
Why Squirrels Love Your Sunflower Patch
It’s not just random mischief. Squirrels have excellent reasons for targeting your garden.
* High-Energy Food: Sunflower seeds are packed with fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. This is perfect fuel for a hyperactive animal that needs to store energy.
* Easy Access: Tall sunflower stalks are basically nature’s ladder. They can climb with ease to reach the prize.
* Instinct to Bury: Squirrels are natural hoarders. They’ll often take seeds from the flower head to bury them elsewhere for winter, which can accidentally plant new sunflowers for you—just not where you wanted them.
* Water Source: The juicy stalks and leaves can provide moisture, especially during dry spells.
Protecting Sunflower Seeds in the Ground
The battle begins before your sunflowers even sprout. Squirrels have a keen sense of smell and will dig up planted seeds in no time.
Here’s how to safeguard them:
1. Use Physical Barriers: Cover your planted rows with hardware cloth or chicken wire. Stake it down so squirrels can’t lift it. Once seedlings are a few inches tall, you can remove it.
2. Plant in Pots: Start your seeds indoors or in protected containers. Transplant the sturdy seedlings outside once they have several sets of leaves; they’re less appealing to dig up at this stage.
3. Try a Decoy: Scatter a handful of cheaper birdseed or untreated peanuts in a spot far from your garden bed. Sometimes, offering an easier food source can distract them from your planting area.
Shielding Seedlings and Stalks
Young plants are vunerable to nibbling. A squirrel might chew a tender stalk right in half.
* Create Collars: Use cardboard tubes from toilet paper or paper towels. Slice them open lengthwise, wrap them around the base of the seedling, and push them slightly into the soil.
* Apply a Repellent Spray: Use a commercially available, non-toxic repellent spray made with ingredients like capsaicin (hot pepper). Reapply after rain. You can make a DIY version by mixing a tablespoon of cayenne pepper with a liter of water and a few drops of dish soap to make it stick.
* Provide an Alternative: Place a shallow dish of water in your yard. If they’re chewing for moisture, this might help.
Guarding the Mature Flower Heads
This is the big challenge—protecting the seed-filled bloom. You need to act just as the flower head begins to droop and the seeds start forming.
The Best Method: Bagging the Bloom
This is the most effective physical barrier.
1. Wait until the petals start to wilt and fall off.
2. Choose a breathable material like cheesecloth, a mesh produce bag, or even a piece of pantyhose.
3. Loosely drape the material over the flower head.
4. Secure it tightly around the stem with twine, a twist tie, or a rubber band. Make sure there are no gaps for sneaky paws.
5. Leave it on until your ready to harvest the seeds for yourself or for the birds.
Other Deterrents to Consider
No single method is foolproof, so combining tactics works best.
* Motion-Activated Sprinklers: These startle squirrels with a sudden burst of water. They’re highly effective but can be a pricier option.
* Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders: If you feed birds nearby, use feeders designed to close under a squirrel’s weight. This encourages them to seek food elsewhere without harming them.
* Predator Presence: A fake owl or hawk decoy can work, but you must move it every few days or squirrels will realize it’s not real. Used pet hair (from a dog or cat) scattered around the garden can also create a scent deterrent.
Planting Strategies for a Truce
Sometimes, the best defense is a smart offense in your garden planning.
* Plant Extra: Simply plant more sunflowers than you need. Designate a few as a “sacrifice” for the wildlife and focus on protecting your main crop.
* Choose Varieties Wisely: Some types are less appealing. Squirrels seem to prefer the large, single-headed types with big seeds. They might ignore smaller, branching varieties with smaller seeds, like ‘Sonja’ or ‘Music Box’, or pollenless types bred for cutting.
* Location Matters: Plant sunflowers away from fences, trees, and structures that squirrels use as launchpads. A more open area makes them feel exposed.
Harvesting Seeds Before They Do
The ultimate way to keep the seeds is to beat the squirrels to the harvest.
1. Cut the flower head once the back turns from green to yellow-brown.
2. Leave a foot or two of stalk attached for handling.
3. Hang it upside down in a dry, well-ventilated place like a garage or shed, still covered with its protective bag.
4. Once completely dry, you can easily rub the seeds loose.
FAQ: Sunflowers and Squirrels
Do squirrels eat whole sunflower plants?
Yes, they can. They start with the seeds in the ground, move to seedlings and stalks, and finally feast on the mature flower heads.
What other animals eat sunflowers?
Birds (especially finches), chipmunks, raccoons, and deer may also munch on leaves, petals, or seeds.
Are sunflower seeds bad for squirrels?
In moderation, no. The seeds in your garden are a natural food source. However, avoid feeding them salted or seasoned seeds meant for human consumption.
Will cayenne pepper hurt my sunflowers or soil?
No, it won’t harm your plants or soil. It acts as an irritant to mammals but washes away over time. Just avoid getting it directly on open flowers where pollinators might visit.
Do fake owls really keep squirrels away?
They can provide temporary relief, but squirrels are intelligent. If the owl never moves, they’ll quickly learn it’s not a threat. Move any decoy regularly for the best results.
Living with garden wildlife requires a bit of patience and experimentation. By using these strategies, you can greatly improve your chances of enjoying those magnificent, seed-filled sunflower heads. Remember, a combination of methods—like bagging blooms and using a repellent—is often the key to success. With some effort, you can have a garden that’s beautiful, bountiful, and peacefully shared with your local squirrels.