How to Keep Squirrels From Eating a Sweet Corn Crop

1. Clear the Planting Area.
2. Erect a Barrier.
3. Add Some Noise.
4. Use Prickly Squash Vines.
5. Feed the Squirrels.
6. Make the Garden Inaccessible.
7. Create a Repellent.

How do I keep squirrels from eating my corn?

Since squirrels are such adept climbers, the only way you’ll keep them off tomatoes and corn is by totally enclosing the plants. That means pounding stakes around the garden and stapling mesh, hardware cloth or window screening all around them and across the top.

How do I keep squirrels out of my garden corn?

You may need to employ more than one method to keep these pests from ruining your sweet corn crop.

1. Clear the Planting Area.
2. Erect a Barrier.
3. Add Some Noise.
4. Use Prickly Squash Vines.
5. Feed the Squirrels.
6. Make the Garden Inaccessible.
7. Create a Repellent.

What animals eat corn in garden?

Sweet corn (Zea mays) is like candy to most critters, but the crop is especially susceptible to birds, raccoons, deer, squirrels, woodchucks and insects, such as the corn earworm. Corn, which is an annual, can suffer animal damage at any point in its growth.

How do you protect corn from pests?

Another deterrent is to insert half a medicine dropper full of mineral oil to the dried corn silks. This will keep the worms from gripping the plants. You can spray corn plants with Bacilulus thuringiensis called BT. This insecticide contains bacteria that affect only the larvae of the corn borer.

What animal is eating my sweet corn?

Birds, deer, raccoons, squirrels, even black bears will help themselves to your sweet corn patch, usually right before you’re ready to harvest.

How do I keep birds from eating my corn?

Lay bird netting over the top of the recently seeded bed, draping it over the stakes so that the netting hangs 2 to 3 inches above the bed. Anchor the edges of the netting with rocks. Netting with 1/4-inch-wide openings prevents birds from digging up the seeds or pulling up new sprouts.

Do coffee grounds keep squirrels away?

While you might find the scent of coffee delicious, squirrels don’t. A light layer of coffee grounds around hibiscus plants can keep them from being the pests’ next meal. Just sprinkle some fresh grounds on the soil surrounding the plants to keep squirrels away.

Does cinnamon keep squirrels away?

Using black and cayenne pepper is safe for both types of garden. Other scents that will deter squirrels from your gardens are nutmeg, cinnamon, Serrano and crushed jalapeno peppers. Using a spray bottle, this mixture can keep squirrels away from planted bulbs and trees. Even used cat litter can keep your flowers safe.

Do squirrels eat corn in garden?

While we normally think of squirrels as nut and fruit lovers (or those critters that habitually empty your bird feeders) they are also particularly attracted to several vegetable crops: corn, tomatoes, mushrooms, pole beans, and chard.

Will raccoons eat corn?

In addition to garbage cans, raccoons are notorious for their love of sweet corn. These omnivores will also eat strawberries, tree fruits, peas, potatoes, melons, and grubs found in your lawn.

Can you spray neem oil on corn?

A formulation of 1 part Btk or Neem with 20 parts oil is recommended. Apply 5 drops (0.5 ml) from an eyedropper directly to the top of each ear. Timing is critical. Spray when silks have reached their full length and began to wilt and turn brown (this is 5–6 days after 50% of the corn has begun to show silks).

How do I keep crows away from my corn?

Here are the top five methods to protect your corn from pest crows with Avian Control.

1. Keep Seedlings Safe. Crows are known to get the corn before it even has a chance to grow.
2. Protect Your Corn With Visual Deterrents.
3. Scare Away Crows With Sound Machines.
4. Cover Corn With Netting.
5. Use Avian Control Liquid Bird Repellent.