Name: Rick Corey Everett WA 98204 (Zone 8a) Sunset Zone 5. Koppen Csb. Eco 2f
I agree with "tighter mesh". Chicken wire protects my seed beds from cats and squirrels. But these squirrels aren't very motivated. If they were hungrier, i think they would find ways around it.
Sticks did not scare them away, and chile pepper flakes washed away, if they worked at all.