Chrysanthemums, commonly known as mums, represent a popular burst of color in the late-season garden, but they frequently become a target for local wildlife. Gardeners often observe significant damage and wonder if the culprit is the common backyard squirrel. The answer is yes, squirrels will readily consume chrysanthemums, turning the floral display into a frustrating nuisance. This destructive behavior is driven by the animals’ natural foraging instincts, leading them to view the plant as a readily available food source. Understanding the specific reasons for this attraction and the nature of the damage is the first step toward implementing effective, non-lethal protection strategies.
The Squirrel-Mum Connection: Why They Are Attractive
Squirrels are opportunistic foragers, and their diet shifts based on the seasonal availability of resources, which often makes mums appealing, particularly in the autumn. The dense, fleshy petals and stems of chrysanthemums provide a source of carbohydrates, which translates into energy needed for caching and preparing for cooler weather. These plants also contain trace minerals like calcium and phosphorus, which aid in bone and tooth health.
The high water content within the foliage and flowers is another significant factor, especially during dry periods when natural moisture sources may be scarce. Squirrels may be seeking hydration as much as nutrition when they target tender plant tissues. This behavior is amplified when a lack of preferred, hard-shelled foods, such as acorns and nuts, forces them to explore alternative, softer vegetation.
A strong, sweet scent also attracts the attention of foraging squirrels, a characteristic noticeable in freshly opened blooms. While the plant contains pyrethrins, which are compounds that can be mildly toxic in large quantities, the immediate appeal of the sweet, tender flowers often overrides this potential deterrent for a hungry animal. The combination of easy access, hydration, and nutritional content makes a chrysanthemum an attractive target in the fall landscape.
Specific Damage: What Parts of the Plant Squirrels Consume
The damage inflicted by squirrels on mums is often two-fold, involving both direct consumption and collateral destruction from digging. Direct consumption usually focuses on the softest parts of the plant, primarily the petals of newly opened or developing flower heads. Squirrels will systematically clip or tear away the colorful blooms, leaving behind ragged stems and deflowered plants.
Beyond the flower, the soft, young leaf growth and the upper parts of the stem may also be chewed or completely consumed. This type of feeding results in noticeable defoliation and a decline in the plant’s overall health and appearance.
The second, and often more destructive, type of damage is the uprooting of the plant itself. Squirrels frequently dig in flower beds and containers, either to bury cached items like nuts and seeds or to hunt for grubs. This digging behavior severs and damages the root systems of the mums, often resulting in the entire plant being tipped over or completely pulled out of the soil. This accidental but significant root damage can quickly lead to the death of the plant.
Non-Lethal Deterrents for Protecting Mums
Protecting chrysanthemums from squirrel damage requires a multi-layered approach using humane methods that discourage access and make the plant unappealing. One of the most reliable strategies involves the use of physical barriers to block access to the plants and the soil. Simple cages constructed from chicken wire or hardware cloth can be placed directly over individual plants or containers. Ensure the mesh gauge is small enough to prevent the squirrel from squeezing through.
For potted mums, placing large, heavy stones or broken pottery pieces on the soil surface can prevent the animal from digging and disturbing the roots. This obstruction makes the soil inaccessible for burying or excavating cached food, prompting the squirrel to move to a more convenient location. The barriers should be firmly secured or heavy enough that the rodent cannot easily lift or displace them.
The application of taste and scent-based repellents can also be highly effective, as squirrels rely heavily on their sense of smell when foraging. Products containing capsaicin, the compound that gives chili peppers their heat, can be sprayed directly onto the foliage, creating an unpleasant taste when the plant is sampled. A homemade alternative involves sprinkling ground cayenne pepper or chili flakes on the soil surface and around the base of the plant.
These taste-based deterrents and commercial bitter sprays, such as those containing denatonium benzoate, must be reapplied frequently, especially after watering or any rainfall, to maintain their potency. Scent-based options like peppermint oil or used coffee grounds can also be scattered around the area, as their strong odors are generally disliked by squirrels.
Modifying the immediate habitat can reduce the overall appeal of the yard to foraging squirrels. A dedicated feeding station placed far away from the protected garden area offers a strategic distraction by providing an easier, more desirable food source like whole kernel corn or raw peanuts. Securing all outdoor garbage cans and promptly removing fallen birdseed and fruit eliminates easy, alternative food sources that might draw the animals into the area. Motion-activated sprinklers provide an unexpected burst of water, which startles the squirrels and conditions them to avoid the protected zone.