Raccoons, skunks, and squirrels dig up plants searching for grubs and insects, so protecting your beds requires addressing the food source they’re after. If you are wondering how to keep animals from digging up plants, the first step is to understand that they are not always trying to ruin your garden out of spite. Most of the time, they are simply following their noses to a meal of juicy grubs, earthworms, or freshly planted seeds.
However, sometimes the digging is purely for the fun of it, or to create a cool, shady spot to rest. The good news is that you can use a combination of physical barriers, natural repellents, and smart planting strategies to make your garden less appealing to these furry intruders. You do not need to harm the animals; you just need to make your garden a difficult or unpleasant place for them to dig.
In this guide, we will walk through several proven methods that are safe, effective, and easy to implement. Whether you are dealing with a persistent raccoon or a family of skunks, these tips will help you keep your soil intact and your plants thriving.
Why Do Animals Dig Up Your Plants?
Before you can solve the problem, you need to know what is causing it. Different animals dig for different reasons, and identifying the culprit is half the battle.
Look For The Telltale Signs
Check the damage left behind. If the soil is torn up in large, messy patches, you are likely dealing with raccoons or skunks. They are looking for grubs and will rip up chunks of turf or loose soil to get to them.
Squirrels, on the other hand, tend to dig small, neat holes. They are often burying or retrieving nuts, or they might be digging up your freshly planted bulbs to eat them. If you see shallow, cone-shaped holes, squirrels are your prime suspect.
Rabbits usually do not dig large holes, but they will scratch at the soil to make a shallow nest or to get to young roots. They also tend to nibble on the leaves of your plants, which is a separate issue from digging.
Address The Grub Problem
If grubs are the main attraction, you need to eliminate that food source. You can apply beneficial nematodes to your soil in the early spring or fall. These microscopic worms hunt down and kill grubs in the soil without using harsh chemicals.
You can also use milky spore powder, which is a natural bacteria that targets Japanese beetle grubs specifically. Once the grubs are gone, the animals will have no reason to dig up your beds looking for them.
If you do not want to introduce anything to your soil, you can simply water your lawn deeply and infrequently. Healthy grass roots are deeper, which means grubs are harder for animals to find and dig up.
How To Keep Animals From Digging Up Plants
Now that you have addressed the food source, it is time to put up some barriers. This section covers the most reliable physical methods to stop digging in its tracks.
Install Physical Barriers
Chicken wire or hardware cloth is your best friend here. Lay it flat on the soil surface around your plants, or better yet, bury it just beneath the surface. Animals hate the feeling of wire on their paws and claws.
- Cut the wire to fit around your plants, leaving a small gap around the stem for growth.
- Secure the edges with landscape staples or heavy rocks to prevent animals from lifting it.
- For bulbs, plant them inside wire cages made of hardware cloth. This protects the bulb from below and above.
You can also create a fence. A simple fence does not need to be tall for digging animals, but it needs to be buried. Dig a trench about 6 inches deep and install the fence so that it extends below the soil line. This prevents animals from tunneling underneath.
Use Scent Deterrents
Animals rely heavily on their sense of smell to find food. You can use this against them by placing strong-smelling items around your garden.
Predator urine is a very effective deterrent. You can buy granules or liquid sprays that smell like fox or coyote urine. The smell tells smaller animals that a predator is nearby, and they will stay away.
Human hair is a free and easy option. Ask your barber for a bag of hair clippings and sprinkle them around the base of your plants. The human scent is confusing and off-putting to many wild animals.
You can also use a mixture of garlic, cayenne pepper, and water. Spray this on the soil and the leaves of your plants. It is not harmful, but it tastes and smells terrible to animals. Just remember to reapply after it rains.
Try Motion-Activated Sprinklers
This is one of the most effective modern solutions. A motion-activated sprinkler connects to your garden hose and sits at the edge of your bed. When an animal walks by, the sensor triggers a sudden burst of water.
The shock of the water is enough to scare most animals away. After a few times, they will learn to associate your garden with being sprayed, and they will stop coming around. This is a humane way to keep animals out without causing them any harm.
Make sure to position the sprinkler so that it covers the area where you see the most digging. You may need to move it around every few days to cover new spots.
Natural Repellent Recipes You Can Make At Home
If you prefer a DIY approach, there are several homemade sprays that work well. These are cheap to make and use ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen.
Garlic And Pepper Spray
This is a classic recipe that works for many types of animals. The strong odor of garlic combined with the heat of pepper is a powerful deterrent.
- Take one whole bulb of garlic and crush it.
- Add the crushed garlic to a quart of water with one tablespoon of cayenne pepper.
- Let the mixture sit in the sun for 24 hours to steep.
- Strain the mixture and pour it into a spray bottle.
- Spray the soil around your plants and the leaves themselves.
Be careful not to spray this on a windy day, as it can irritate your eyes and skin. Also, avoid spraying it on edible plants right before you harvest, as the taste will linger.
Vinegar Solution
Vinegar is another strong-smelling substance that animals dislike. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
Spray this around the perimeter of your garden beds. It will not harm the soil, but it will create a scent barrier that many animals will avoid. However, be careful not to spray vinegar directly on your plants, as it can dry out the leaves and cause damage.
You can also soak a few rags in vinegar and place them around the garden. This creates a longer-lasting scent that is released slowly into the air.
Planting Strategies To Discourage Digging
Sometimes, the best defense is a good offense. By choosing the right plants, you can make your garden naturally unappealing to digging animals.
Use Plants With Strong Scents
Many animals dislike the smell of certain herbs and flowers. Planting these around your more vulnerable plants can act as a natural repellent.
- Marigolds have a distinct odor that repels many insects and small mammals.
- Lavender is pleasant to us but often overwhelming to animals.
- Rosemary and sage are strong-smelling herbs that deter rabbits and squirrels.
- Daffodils are poisonous to many animals, so they will avoid digging up the bulbs.
Plant these in a border around your garden or intersperse them among your other plants. This creates a natural barrier of scent that confuses and deters the animals.
Try Companion Planting
Companion planting is the practice of growing certain plants together for mutual benefit. In this case, you are using plants to protect each other from animal damage.
For example, planting garlic or onions near your roses can help keep rabbits away. The strong smell of the alliums masks the scent of the roses, making it harder for animals to find them.
You can also plant prickly or thorny plants as a natural fence. A row of holly bushes or barberry can create a physical barrier that animals are unwilling to cross.
Long-Term Habitat Management
To keep animals from coming back, you need to make your entire yard less inviting. This goes beyond just the garden beds and looks at the bigger picture.
Remove Food Sources
Do not leave pet food outside. This is a major attractant for raccoons and skunks. Feed your pets indoors or pick up their bowls immediately after they finish eating.
Secure your garbage cans with tight-fitting lids. Raccoons are clever and can often open lids that are not secured. Use bungee cords or weights to keep the lids on.
If you have fruit trees, pick up any fallen fruit promptly. Rotting fruit is a feast for many animals and will draw them into your yard.
Eliminate Hiding Spots
Animals are less likely to dig in areas where they feel exposed. Keep your grass mowed and your bushes trimmed.
Remove piles of wood, rocks, or debris where animals can hide or build nests. A clean yard is less attractive to skunks and raccoons, which prefer areas with plenty of cover.
If you have a deck or shed, make sure the openings are sealed. These are common places for skunks and other animals to take shelter, and they will dig nearby to find food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about dealing with digging animals in the garden.
Will Coffee Grounds Keep Animals From Digging?
Coffee grounds can help. The strong smell is unpleasant to many animals, and the gritty texture is also off-putting. Sprinkle used coffee grounds around your plants and mix them into the top layer of soil. They also add nitrogen to the soil, which is a bonus for your plants.
Does Irish Spring Soap Deter Digging Animals?
Yes, many gardeners swear by Irish Spring soap. The strong, distinct fragrance is a powerful deterrent for rabbits, squirrels, and deer. Grate the soap into small pieces and scatter them around your garden beds. You can also hang whole bars of soap from stakes near your plants.
How Do I Stop Squirrels From Digging Up My Flower Pots?
Cover the soil in your pots with a layer of small pebbles or decorative stones. Squirrels cannot easily dig through the rocks. You can also place a piece of chicken wire over the soil surface, cutting a hole for the plant stem. Another option is to sprinkle cayenne pepper on the soil, which deters them without causing harm.
Is It Safe To Use Mothballs To Keep Animals Away?
Mothballs are not recommended. They contain chemicals that are toxic to humans, pets, and wildlife. They are also not approved for outdoor use as a pest deterrent. It is much safer to use natural repellents like the ones mentioned in this article.
Will A Fake Owl Keep Animals From Digging?
A fake owl can work for a short time, but animals are smart. They will quickly realize the owl is not moving and is not a real threat. To make it more effective, move the owl to a different location every few days. You can also combine it with other deterrents for better results.
Putting It All Together
Keeping animals from digging up your plants is not a one-time fix. It requires a combination of strategies and a little bit of persistence. Start by identifying the animal that is causing the damage, then address the food source they are after.
Next, implement a few physical barriers and scent deterrents. You do not need to do everything at once. Try one method, see how it works, and add another if needed. Most gardeners find that a combination of a physical barrier and a scent repellent is the most effective approach.
Remember to be patient. Animals are persistent, but they are also creatures of habit. If you make your garden consistently unpleasant for them, they will eventually move on to an easier food source. Your plants will thank you for your effort, and you will be able to enjoy your garden without worrying about it being torn up overnight.
With these strategies in place, you can create a beautiful, thriving garden that is off-limits to digging pests. You have the tools and the knowledge now, so get out there and protect your hard work. Your garden is your space, and with a little effort, you can keep it that way.