It’s finally springtime, and you are excited to start working on your lawn. You head to the store, invest in some high-quality grass seed, till up the soil, carefully spread the seed, water gently, and wait for those first shoots of new grass to peek through.
But then, you notice irregular bare patches. Upon closer inspection, you see squirrels ransacking your lawn, digging up and eating your newly planted grass seed! Has this happened to you? If so, you’re not alone. Many homeowners deal with squirrels eating grass seed, delaying lawn projects and forcing them to constantly re-seed bald spots.
In this article, we will discuss why squirrels seek out grass seed, how to prevent them from eating it, and tips for regrowing grass after seed theft.
Why Squirrels Eat Grass Seed
Squirrels are known for their boundless energy and curious nature They are constantly exploring, foraging, and searching for food This can lead them to freshly seeded lawns, where grass seed becomes an easy snack. Here are some of the main reasons squirrels eat grass seed
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It’s an abundant, concentrated food source When you sow grass seed, you generally spread it fairly thick to ensure good germination rates This represents a jackpot of food to foraging squirrels.
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The seed is high in nutrition. Grass seed contains lots of proteins, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. It provides nourishment squirrels need.
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They enjoy the taste. Squirrels seem to genuinely like the flavor of grass seed. The combination of nutrients and taste makes eating it rewarding.
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It’s an easy meal. Grass seed is not buried deep in the soil, so squirrels can quickly dig it up and eat it without much effort.
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They cache seeds to eat later. Squirrels are known for hiding or “caching” food like nuts and seeds to retrieve and eat later. Your grass seed may become part of their stockpile.
Knowing why squirrels target grass seed can help you take steps to stop them. But first, let’s look at exactly how much damage squirrels cause to seeded lawns.
How Much Grass Seed Do Squirrels Eat?
Squirrels can eat a surprisingly large amount of grass seed in a short period. One study published in The American Midland Naturalist observed a single squirrel eating about 3 ounces of seed per day, based on lab experiments.
In the wild, squirrels may eat even more than that. Multiple squirrels can decimate newly planted grass seed, leaving unsightly bare or thin patches where dense, uniform turf should be growing.
If you spread seed at a normal rate of 5-10 pounds per 1,000 square feet, squirrels have more than enough to feast on. Large areas can require 50 pounds of seed or more, giving squirrels an unlimited, all-you-can-eat seed buffet!
The amount of damage and seed eaten will depend on factors like:
- Number of squirrels frequenting your yard
- Availability of other food sources
- Abundance and coverage of your grass seed application
- Time elapsed since seeding
Catching the problem early is key to prevent total loss of seed. So let’s look at useful solutions.
How to Stop Squirrels From Eating Grass Seed
Discouraging squirrels from treating your lawn like an unlimited salad bar is an important part of seeding success. Here are some effective tactics and products to prevent seed theft:
Use a Squirrel Repellent
Applying a squirrel repellent around the perimeter of newly seeded areas may deter them from entering. Look for repellents containing castor oil, garlic oil, or capsaicin. Reapply after rainfall.
Some options are Dr. T’s All Natural Squirrel Repellent or Liquid Fence Squirrel Repellent.
Install Physical Barriers
Barriers like fencing, netting, and wire mesh can block squirrels from getting to the seed. Bury edges several inches into the ground to prevent squirrels from burrowing underneath.
Some ideas are chicken wire, hardware cloth, and plastic bird netting. Make sure openings are 1/2 inch or smaller so seeds don’t fall through.
Scare Them Away
Use predator decoys, sprinklers, noise makers, and other scare tactics to frighten squirrels off. Vary locations and change up methods regularly so they don’t get used to them. Motion activated sprinklers are especially effective.
Apply Seed with a Starter Fertilizer
Starter fertilizer contains phosphorus which helps accelerate germination. The faster seeds can sprout, the less opportunity squirrels have to eat them. Look for weed and feed products or special seeding fertilizers.
Use Lower Quality Filler Seed
Put down some cheap “filler” seed like annual ryegrass first to allow squirrels to fill up on those. Then once ryegrass has sprouted, overseed with your desired higher quality grass seed. The filler seed acts as a sacrificial distraction.
Feed Squirrels Away from the Lawn
Try luring squirrels away from freshly seeded areas by providing better tasting food like ears of corn, peanuts in the shell, or even bird seed infeeders on the opposite side of your yard. This may distract them from grass seed temporarily.
Apply Seed before Rain
Squirrels are less likely to dig for seed in wet soil. Time seeding right before a good soaking rain to discourage digging. The rain will also naturally work seed into the soil, protecting it.
Allow Dog Access
If you have a dog, allow it access to areas where seed is spread. Most squirrels will avoid yards frequented by dogs. Just be sure your dog doesn’t damage the lawn.
Trap Problem Squirrels
For severe squirrel infestations, trapping and removing offenders may be necessary. Check local regulations first and use humane traps. Then release squirrels at least 5 miles away to prevent them returning.
Reseeding After Squirrel Damage
If despite your best efforts squirrels still manage to eat some of your grass seed, don’t despair. You can reseed damaged areas to regrow a healthy lawn. Follow these tips for repairing spots:
- Identify bare or thin areas and rake gently to loosen the soil
- Apply new seed using the same amount originally spread
- Cover reseeded spots with straw or erosion control blankets
- Water lightly several times per day to keep seed moist
- Repeat squirrel deterrents like repellents, barriers, or scare tactics
- Be patient! It may take 14-21 days for new grass to fill in bare areas
If damage is widespread, you may need to till up the lawn and start over. It can be frustrating, but don’t get discouraged. With persistence and the right deterrents, you can overcome seed thieving squirrels!
A beautiful new lawn is worth the effort. Just remember it’s normal for squirrels to take an interest in grass seed. With some planning and adaptability, you can still achieve lawn success. Don’t let occasional squirrel raids stop you from doing new seeding projects.
The Bottom Line
Squirrels can quickly destroy the time and money you’ve invested in grass seed, thanks to their energetic foraging. But there are many effective solutions to prevent seed loss.
The keys are taking preventative measures immediately after seeding, adapting if squirrels outsmart your deterrents, and promptly reseeding any damaged areas. With a bit of creativity and commitment, you can have the lush lawn of your dreams.
So next time you see a squirrel suspiciously eyeing your newly seeded yard, take action right away. Discourage seed theft from the start using the tips in this article, and you’ll keep your project on track for success.
How to plant your grass seed without the birds eating it
How to prevent squirrels from eating grass seeds?
To prevent squirrels from eating your newly planted grass seeds you can use galvanized wire, plastic netting, motion detector sprinklers or set up a friendly squirrel area to keep them at bay. Even if you are an animal lover, you need to prevent them from tearing up your properly, plants, flowers, and grass.
Do squirrels eat birdseed?
The squirrels will be more attracted to the bird feeder because of how much more nutritious and easier it is to eat the birdseed. Grass seed is not as nutritious for squirrels, so this will lead to the squirrels being drawn to the birdseed where they will continue to forage from while you wait for your grass seed to finish growing.
Do squirrels eat grass?
Sometimes, squirrels may eat grass directly, while in other situations, they may use it for nesting material or as camouflage. Grass can provide squirrels with shelter and protection, especially when constructing nests or hiding from potential predators. You may have spotted some squirrels foraging on your lawn. But can they damage your grass?
Do squirrels eat plants?
Squirrels are omnivores. Omnivores eat both plant matter and other animals or insects, while herbivores solely depend on plants, fruits, nuts and seeds for their diet. That being said, squirrels tend to eat mostly plant matter, but will eat other animals, eggs, or insects on occasion. What do squirrels find to eat in the grass?
