Maybe I am speaking too soon, but we have not had any problems with squirrels or bugs, except squash bugs in our three years gardening here. I have assumed it is because my wife has three bird feeders about 15 ft from the garden and all the birds and squirrels are fat and happy. I suspect the birds eat bugs in the garden in addition to the bird feed. We use landscape fabric in the garden and flower beds, but I don’t think that would keep bugs at bay. I don’t know, maybe it is a blessing from the Lord, but we are grateful.
Birds are a big help keeping incsects and bugs under control. Werns in particular perfer bugs to plants, and they are territorial, so will chase other birds away from your berries etc.