Squash (Cucurbita species) is a highly favored vegetable in home gardens but is vulnerable to a wide array of pests. Protecting a squash harvest requires gardeners to first identify the specific animal causing the damage, as different pests require unique control strategies. This involves recognizing the culprits and their feeding habits, then implementing targeted physical barriers or non-physical deterrents.
Common Animal Pests That Eat Squash
Squash plants attract a variety of animals, from large browsing mammals to smaller rodents. White-tailed deer are among the largest threats, often consuming the tender leaves and vines, particularly new growth. They are capable of browsing foliage up to six feet high, wiping out large sections of a garden rapidly.
Smaller mammals challenge squash plants at ground level. Rabbits primarily target young seedlings, clipping the stems and leaves close to the ground. Woodchucks (groundhogs) are known to devour entire plants quickly, while voles chew on roots and stems near the soil line, often causing the plant to wilt without apparent above-ground damage.
Opportunistic feeders like raccoons and squirrels focus on the mature fruits. Raccoons will peel back the rind to eat the seeds and fleshy pulp of developing squash. Squirrels cause damage by sampling fruits, typically leaving small, distinct holes or bite marks in the rind. Birds, such as crows or quail, may also peck at young seedlings or the soft skin of maturing fruit, especially when seeking moisture.
Identifying Specific Damage Types
Deer lack upper incisor teeth, meaning they cannot make a clean bite. They leave behind foliage that appears ragged, torn, or stripped from the stem. This contrasts with the damage caused by rabbits and woodchucks, which leaves a clean, angled cut on the stem or leaf.
Ground-level damage can point toward tunneling or burrowing animals. The presence of shallow, intricate runways in the soil or damage to the roots suggests voles are at work. If an entire plant disappears overnight, or if large burrows are visible nearby, a woodchuck is the more likely culprit.
Damage to mature squash fruit offers clues about the pest’s identity. Raccoons often create large, messy holes, pulling out the interior contents. Small, clean holes or scratch marks on the rind indicate a smaller pest like a squirrel or chipmunk. Tracks in damp soil, such as deer hoof prints or raccoon hand-like prints, provide definitive evidence of the intruder.
Physical Barriers for Protection
For deer, a fence must be substantial, as they can easily clear a six-foot barrier; eight feet is recommended for deterrence. A common strategy involves constructing a shorter, five-foot fence and adding a second fence line four to five feet away. This creates a mental barrier that confuses the deer’s jumping ability.
To deter burrowing animals like rabbits and woodchucks, the fence material must extend below the soil line. Burying the bottom of the fencing six to twelve inches deep and bending the bottom six inches outward creates an L-shape skirt that prevents digging underneath. The mesh size is also important, with half-inch hardware cloth being ideal for keeping out smaller rodents like voles.
Individual protection is highly effective for vulnerable young seedlings. Simple wire cages or cloches placed directly over the plants can prevent rabbits and birds from nipping the tender growth. Floating row covers shield seedlings from pests while allowing light and water through, but must be removed once flowering begins to allow for insect pollination.
Non-Physical Prevention Techniques
When physical barriers are impractical, gardeners can employ non-physical deterrents that rely on taste, smell, or startling effects. Repellents containing putrescent egg solids mimic the smell of decaying material and are effective against deer and rabbits. Other taste-based repellents use capsaicin, which deters animals from taking a second bite.
These scent-based sprays and granules require reapplication after heavy rain or every two to four weeks to maintain effectiveness. Homemade solutions often use ingredients like garlic, hot sauce, and milk solids to create a foul-smelling mixture that adheres to the foliage. Applying these products in the early morning or late evening prevents contact with beneficial pollinators.
Cultural controls and habitat modification can also reduce the garden’s appeal to animals. Removing brush piles, tall weeds, and debris eliminates hiding and nesting places for rabbits, woodchucks, and voles. Companion planting with strong-smelling herbs, such as rosemary or lavender, can mask the attractive scent of the squash foliage.