A well-kept lawn is something most homeowners take pride in. It’s the backdrop to your garden, a place for children to play, pets to enjoy, and family gatherings to take place. But few things are more frustrating than stepping outside and seeing patches of dug-up grass where squirrels have been foraging.
Squirrels are energetic, resourceful, and always on the lookout for food or shelter. To them, your lawn isn’t just grass — it’s a potential buffet or a hiding place for food stores. While these animals are fascinating to watch, their digging can quickly damage the appearance and health of your lawn. Fortunately, there are humane and practical ways to stop squirrels from digging without resorting to harmful measures.
This guide covers everything you need to know: why squirrels dig, how to make your lawn less appealing, what barriers can protect it, and which deterrents work best for long-term success.
Understanding the Behaviour
Before you can solve the problem, it helps to know why squirrels are digging in the first place. Learning their behaviour makes it easier to choose the right solution.
Why squirrels dig
Digging is natural for squirrels. They often bury nuts, seeds, and acorns in autumn as a food supply for winter. They may also dig to find insects, grubs, or roots that they feed on. In some cases, digging is part of nest preparation — creating safe spaces or clearing ground. Knowing this helps you understand that it isn’t random mischief but instinct.
When and where they dig
Squirrels are most active in the early morning and late afternoon. They often dig in soft soil, reseeded patches, or areas of the lawn where food scents are strongest. In autumn, digging tends to increase because squirrels are storing food. In spring, activity may rise again when they dig up caches or search for insects. Damp soil after rain is particularly attractive because it’s easier to dig.
Distinguishing digging by squirrels from other animals
Not every hole in your lawn is caused by squirrels. Moles leave raised tunnels and mounds of earth rather than small holes. Birds peck at the soil surface, leaving shallow marks instead of deeper burrows. Rats dig near solid structures like sheds or compost bins. Squirrel holes are usually small, neat, and scattered across the lawn. Learning to tell the difference avoids wasting time on the wrong pest control methods.
Once you know why squirrels are active in your lawn, the next step is to make your grass less attractive to them.
Reducing Attraction to Your Lawn
Squirrels won’t keep digging if they have nothing to gain. Removing the things that draw them in will cut activity significantly.
Removing food sources
Lawns often contain hidden food that attracts squirrels. Fallen nuts, acorns, or fruit from trees should be cleared quickly. Seeds from bird feeders can spill onto the grass and encourage digging, so use feeders with trays or squirrel-proof designs. Compost heaps may also be a food source if not secured. Use closed compost bins and avoid adding cooked food scraps, which attract squirrels and other pests.
Managing watering and moisture
Overwatered lawns can be more appealing to squirrels. Damp soil not only makes digging easier but also attracts insects that squirrels feed on. Adjust your watering schedule to avoid excess moisture, especially in cooler months when lawns need less water. Fix leaks in outdoor taps, hoses, or irrigation systems to prevent small pools forming.
Limiting cover and hiding places
Squirrels prefer to dig where they feel safe. Thick shrubs, wood piles, or garden clutter near your lawn give them shelter from predators. By trimming hedges, reducing overgrowth, and clearing piles of debris, you create a more open space that feels riskier for them. Neat lawns with fewer hiding places are less likely to be disturbed.
Making your lawn less inviting is a strong start, but sometimes physical measures are needed to fully block access.
Physical Barriers & Exclusion Techniques
Barriers provide a reliable way to stop squirrels from reaching the grass altogether. With the right materials, you can prevent digging without harming wildlife.
Netting, wire mesh, or hardware cloth over soil surfaces
If you’ve reseeded your lawn or laid new turf, it’s especially vulnerable. Covering these areas with netting or fine wire mesh stops squirrels from digging while allowing sunlight and water through. Hardware cloth with small gaps is sturdy and chew-resistant. To be effective, secure the mesh firmly to the ground and bury the edges at least 5–10 cm deep to stop squirrels pushing underneath.
Creating plant guards or covers for vulnerable grass areas
For smaller patches, such as reseeded spots, you can use cloches or plant cages. These are simple covers made from mesh or plastic that sit over the grass until it’s established. Some gardeners use inverted baskets or wire frames as temporary guards. These solutions are especially useful in spring when new growth is most at risk.
Gatekeepers: perimeter fences, trenches, edge barriers
If squirrels are a constant problem, fencing may be necessary. A fence at least 2 metres high with a smooth finish can deter squirrels from climbing. For lawns near vegetable beds, burying mesh vertically as an underground barrier prevents digging at the edges. Although squirrels are excellent climbers, combining fences with other deterrents creates a strong defence.
Barriers work well, but pairing them with deterrents gives you an even stronger line of defence.
Deterrents & Maintenance Strategies
Deterrents discourage squirrels from approaching your grass in the first place, and routine upkeep keeps results consistent.
Natural deterrents and scents
Squirrels dislike certain smells, which makes natural repellents useful. Peppermint oil, garlic sprays, or chilli flakes can be applied around the lawn edge. Predator scents, such as fox urine granules or used cat litter, may also make squirrels think the area is unsafe. These need to be reapplied after rain or every few weeks for best results.
Motion-activated devices
Technology can help keep squirrels away. Motion-activated sprinklers give a harmless burst of water when squirrels approach, which startles them and conditions them to avoid the area. Ultrasonic devices emit high-frequency sounds that irritate squirrels but are usually inaudible to humans. Motion-activated lights can also disrupt digging, especially in early morning or evening.
Regular inspection, reapplication, and adapting strategies
No single method works forever. Squirrels are intelligent and can adapt if one deterrent stays the same. Regularly inspect your lawn for new digging and refresh repellents as needed. Rotate strategies to prevent squirrels from becoming used to one method. Ongoing lawn care, such as reseeding bare patches and keeping the grass healthy, also reduces vulnerability to pests.
By combining understanding, prevention, barriers, and deterrents, you’ll have a complete strategy to keep your grass safe from squirrels.
Our Final Thoughts
Squirrels may be persistent, but they don’t have to ruin your lawn. By understanding why they dig, removing what attracts them, and putting barriers and deterrents in place, you can stop the damage and keep your grass looking its best.
The most effective approach is a combination. A tidy lawn with fewer food sources, backed up by physical protection and regular use of deterrents, makes your garden much less appealing to squirrels. Over time, they’ll move on to easier targets.
Consistency is key. Keep up with inspections, adapt your methods as needed, and don’t be discouraged if results aren’t immediate. With patience and persistence, you can enjoy a healthy, attractive lawn without the constant frustration of squirrel damage.
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