How do I keep squirrels from digging up sand between my Ottawa patio pavers?

Squirrels digging up paver joints is genuinely one of the most frustrating patio maintenance issues Ottawa homeowners deal with, and the fix is simpler than most people expect. The real solution is switching from regular sand to polymeric sand in your joints — this is the single most effective thing you can do.

Regular sand is essentially an open invitation for squirrels, chipmunks, and ants. It stays loose, it smells like soil, and it's easy to dig through. Polymeric sand contains polymer binders that, when activated with water, harden the joint into a firm, almost rubbery compound that animals have no interest in disturbing. Once it cures, there's nothing loose to dig into and no soil-like scent to attract them.

Re-sanding your paver joints with polymeric sand is a straightforward DIY project for most homeowners. Start by removing as much of the old sand as possible using a stiff brush, a leaf blower, or a gentle pass with a pressure washer — just be careful not to erode the base underneath. Let everything dry completely, then sweep the polymeric sand across the surface and work it into the joints using a push broom. Compact it lightly with a plate compactor or hand tamper if you have one, then blow off the excess from the paver faces before misting the surface with water to activate the polymers. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on drying time — typically 24 hours before foot traffic.

One Ottawa-specific note worth mentioning: our heavy spring melt and frequent rain can wash out regular sand surprisingly fast, which is why so many Ottawa patios end up with hollow, crumbling joints within a season or two. The freeze-thaw cycle also works loose joints wider over time, making them even easier for wildlife to excavate. Polymeric sand handles both problems well.

As a maintenance habit, inspect your joints each spring after the snow melts. Ottawa's 50-plus freeze-thaw cycles every winter will gradually break down even good polymeric sand over three to five years, so periodic re-application is normal and expected. Catching it early — before squirrels discover the loose spots — saves you from a more extensive re-sanding job later.

This is genuinely one of the few patio maintenance tasks that's well within DIY territory. A bag of quality polymeric sand runs roughly $30 to $50 at local Ottawa home improvement stores, and a standard patio typically needs two to four bags depending on joint width and square footage.