I’ve tried the tarp-and-bag trick too, and honestly, it’s saved me a ton of hassle. Plastic sheds always seem like overkill unless you’re storing half your garage out there. Repurposed crates are a cool idea—plus, they just look better than those beige plastic blobs. Squirrels are relentless, though... mine managed to chew through a storage bin lid last year.
Repurposed crates are such a smart move—definitely agree they look way better than those clunky plastic sheds. I’ve always wondered if there’s a way to squirrel-proof storage that doesn’t involve a ton of plastic or metal. Have you tried lining the lids with anything they hate chewing? I’ve heard citrus peels can sometimes deter them, but I’m not sure how well that holds up outdoors. It’s wild how determined they get, though... makes you rethink what “weatherproof” really means.
Yeah, squirrels really don’t give up easy—had one chew right through a cedar planter I built last summer. Citrus peels might work short-term, but rain and sun break them down fast. I’ve seen folks rub hot pepper wax on wood as a deterrent, but it’s hit or miss. Have you ever tried using hardware cloth on the inside of the crate lids? Wondering if that’s overkill or actually helpful...
Have you ever tried using hardware cloth on the inside of the crate lids? Wondering if that’s overkill or actually helpful...
I actually went the hardware cloth route after a squirrel managed to turn my tomato crate into its personal snack bar. I thought it might be total overkill too, but honestly, it’s been the only thing that’s held up. The little guys can chew through almost anything, but they seem to give up pretty quick when they hit metal. I just stapled it to the inside of the lids and, so far, zero chew marks.
Hot pepper wax was a bust for me. Either the squirrels in my area have iron stomachs or I just didn’t apply enough. Citrus peels were gone in a day—probably just made my planters smell like a weird fruit salad.
If you don’t mind the “industrial chic” look inside your crates, hardware cloth is worth a shot. It’s not the prettiest, but neither is watching a squirrel drag off your hard-earned veggies.
If you don’t mind the “industrial chic” look inside your crates, hardware cloth is worth a shot. It’s not the prettiest, but neither is watching a squirrel drag off your hard-earned veggies.
Couldn’t agree more about the look—mine ended up looking like something out of a Mad Max garden, but at least the tomatoes survived. I actually tried chicken wire first, but those squirrels just squeezed right through the gaps. Did you just use a staple gun for the hardware cloth, or did you reinforce it with anything else? I’m always worried about sharp edges poking through and snagging stuff.
