There was a time, oh so long ago, when I liked squirrels. That was before I bought a house and before I realized what a pain in the (fill in the blank) these lovely little critters would be when I planted tulip bulbs. Not to mention the vegetables…
Since then, I have started my own step program called “Squirrels Anonymous”. After completing this program, I hope that I am able to accept squirrels for what they are. Just animals that need to eat, a little rodent that I must learn to share space with. After all they have as much right to be there as I do. 
First step: Admitting your issue: Hello,my name is… well… just call me the Dahlia diva, and I don’t like squirrels. They are cute when they are on other people’s property or a park. Selfish I know, but that’s just how it is
. Let me say, I did tried to like squirrels . Look at their cute little faces and the bushy, bushy tail. Maybe at the end of this story, I will be in a more amenable and we will become the bestest of friends.
This animosity started 10 years ago. After removing my Dahlia tubers, I planted my bulbs. It was my first time planting Tulips, so I made sure I followed the instructions on the package. I remember her well “Queen of the night!”
Oh, I can’t tell you how exited I was (what can I say, little things make me happy). I couldn’t wait for the spring. That elegant purple flower, oh my goodness, my front yard would look sooo beautiful the next spring.
Winter was realllly long that year. As Spring approached, I did as I always do every year, sit by my window every day, visually measuring the snow, watching the thermostat, willing it to warm up. Mother Nature still took her time, she obviously did not feel my pain. I could hardly contain myself, I was at my wits end.
Finally it warmed up enough and I could see plants pushing their way through the frozen ground. I noticed that I saw only a few tulip, a few as in TWO!!!
I was quite disappointed because I figured I did something wrong when I planted them, I mean, why else wouldn’t they grow? Why else indeed!
As it got further into spring, I also noticed there were Tulips growing on my front and back lawn. I also noticed that there were tulips in both my neighbors’ back yards. And coincidentally, when the flowers just happened to be the same as the Tulips that I planted! That’s when Lena told me that the squirrels did it.
Those poofy tailed beady eyed sneaky little creatures, dug up my bulbs for food!!! These Tulips that popped up all over was a because the squirrels dropped all or part of the bulb as they foraged to store food for the winter.
This was my introduction to planting tulips. I found out the hard way that squirrels love fresh tulip bulbs. This I swore would be the first and last time I tried my hand at tulips.
But the lure of the Tulips is hard to resist. The annual Ottawa Tulip Festival only increased the desire to try again. If you’ve never been to the Ottawa Tulip Festival, it’s a definite must see
!
After a few years of fighting the urge to plant more tulips, I finally gave in. This time I wanted to be prepared. I did a bit of research I was back to trying these harbingers of spring, I tried one of a few tricks to keep those bushy tailed critters away.
The solution that worked for me was moth balls. I put a few around the planting spot and it kept the squirrels away. You will potentially have some renegade squirrels but overall the bulbs were safe.The following spring, I was rewarded with beautiful Tulips .
Every year after, spring time come with those beautiful blooms. All in my flower beds and most importantly NOT on my lawn or my neighbours!
I would like to say that I have become more tolerant of squirrels (not really). I mean I found something that keeps them away from the bulbs, right!!!. The bulbs grew and continues to produce beautiful flowers, right!!! Wrong!!! My Squirrel woes continues.
Stay tuned for Chapter 2: Squirrels evil rodent army or just cute little critters. !
Got another trick to keep the squirrels away? Please feel free to share, I know someone can use it. I definitely can.
Who You Dahlia
It’s About Bloomin’ Time!