We all love our gardens, but they can look a little messy during the winter.

From the bad weather to the colder temperatures – all sorts of things impact our outdoor spaces. Not to mention, squirrels can cause their fair share of chaos too.

The cute but pesky creatures like to dig up bulbs in pots and beds, leaving all our hard work go to waste. But now, thanks to @gardening.with.ish on TikTok, they don’t have to bother you for much longer.

This is because the garden guru revealed a simple way to keep squirrels away. It turns out all you need is a simple ingredient from your spice rack.

In the video, Ish said: “Now, when it gets to this time of year, I have no issue with the squirrels foraging for food so they can get ready to store up ready for winter. However, when it comes to my floral displays, it’s a completely different story.”

Ish said he uses two methods that are “massively effective” in keeping squirrels away. Wire mesh or plastic netting can stop them from digging, as it works to create a barrier around your plants.

He claimed the little creatures will have “no luck” getting past the netting if you chose to use this method, but there’s also a much cheaper option you could try. It turns out chilli flakes could be the answer to your prayers, and you can snap them up for as little as 39p.

If you have large pots he said adding a little spice to the soil could work wonders. According to Ish, you don’t need many at all for the trick to work, and he demonstrates this by putting a couple on his hand.

He told people to “lightly sprinkle” the flakes over the top of the soil, as this will be enough to deter the squirrels. This is because, when they start poking around, they’ll end up with “quite a hot surprise”.

The video has been viewed over 100 times since it was shared, and people seem keen to try out the tricks. After all, nobody wants their plants digged up this winter.

One person wrote: “Perfect timing. My bulbs are going in this week, and I was wondering how to protect them.”

Another added: “Great idea. Thanks for sharing.” A third replied: “Adds chilli flakes to shopping list.”

Meanwhile, a fourth also commented: “I would definitely watch this CBeebies show. Get this man and his puppet on the telly.”