Do squirrels eat wicker furniture?
Do squirrels eat wicker furniture? Squirrels do not typically eat wicker furniture. Wicker is usually made from woven plant materials such as rattan, willow, or bamboo. While squirrels may chew on wicker furniture, it's usually not because they're consuming it for sustenance.
Squirrels have incisors that continuously grow, so they may gnaw on various objects, including wicker furniture, to wear down their teeth. However, if you have squirrels damaging your wicker furniture, it's advisable to deter them with appropriate methods rather than letting them continue this behavior.
How to keep squirrels from eating wicker furniture?
To prevent squirrels from damaging or eating wicker furniture, you can try the following methods:
  1. Physical Barriers:
    • Cover the wicker furniture with a tarp or plastic cover when it's not in use.
    • Place the furniture in an enclosed area such as a screened porch or shed where squirrels cannot access it.
  2. Repellents:
    • Use commercial squirrel repellents available at garden centers or online. These repellents often contain natural or chemical ingredients that deter squirrels.
    • Homemade repellents such as pepper spray or garlic spray can also be effective. Mix hot pepper sauce or garlic powder with water and spray it on the wicker furniture.
  3. Scare Tactics:
    • Install motion-activated sprinklers or sound devices near the furniture to startle squirrels when they approach.
    • Hang shiny objects such as aluminum foil strips or old CDs near the furniture to scare squirrels away with reflective light and noise.
  4. Natural Barriers:
    • Surround the wicker furniture with plants or herbs that squirrels dislike, such as mint, lavender, or marigolds.
    • Apply a layer of mulch around the furniture with materials like gravel or pine cones, which can deter squirrels from walking or climbing on it.
  5. Regular Maintenance:
    • Keep the area around the wicker furniture clean and free of food debris that might attract squirrels.
    • Trim nearby trees or bushes to remove potential pathways for squirrels to access the furniture.
  6. Provide Alternatives:
    • Offer squirrel-friendly distractions such as bird feeders or squirrel feeders filled with nuts and seeds to divert their attention away from the wicker furniture.
    • Place nesting boxes or materials such as twigs, leaves, and straw in nearby trees or designated areas to encourage squirrels to build their nests there instead.

By implementing these strategies, you can help protect your wicker furniture from squirrel damage and encourage squirrels to seek alternative sources for their nesting and feeding needs.