squirrels eating st augustine grass

kbeard – posted 07 September 2001 17:36

Have a serious problem with squirrels eating st augustine grass. We have tried feeding corn and water to them away from grass area. Put moth balls all over the yard(smell is terrible) but does not effect the squirrels. We have tried repellents on grass, no effect on them. We have called nurseries and grass people, no one ever hear of this. I am not crazy they are eating the grass. I have learned to treat fungus and fight insects on this grass but I cannot stop the squirrels. Do you have any suggestions.Thank you

sod buster – posted 08 September 2001 07:25

Maybe you can put some crushed red pepper in their favorite grazing places. I’ve heard it works well in keeping them out of bird feeders while not harming the birds. Maybe an industrial size can from Sam’s Club or something.

backyard – posted 16 October 2001 05:46

I’m sorry I don’t have a solution. I have a similar problem. The squirrels eat the new shoots, the fiddleheads, on my ferns. But they leave my St. augustine grass alone! I guess you could try planting ferns…

bm*********@cs.com – posted 22 September 2003 18:28

I have the same problem. My neighbors have the same kind of grass but no problem. My lawn is the best but I have not been able to figure out why they want to destroy mine. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF ACORNS BUT THEY EAT THE HEART OUT OF THE GRASS??? Thanks, Bruce in Tampa

Mr. T. – posted 15 July 2004 11:56

I would second the hot pepper treatment. If you have an asian food store near by you such as a Korean grocery store, you can usually find cayenne pepper that has been finely ground into a powder that is used for seasoning. I have seen it in as large as 5 pound bags. It would be perfect as it would dust very well onto the grass and affect not only the squirrel’s taste buds but also their eyes and noses as well. If you can’t find it locally you might do a google search online.

Boston – posted 16 July 2004 09:19

Buy a pellet gun.