Pepper plants are some of the most popular garden vegetables, loved by humans for their unique flavor and heat. However, they are also a favorite of many animals who like to snack on them. From squirrels and deer to raccoons and rabbits, there are plenty of critters out there that enjoy snacking on pepper plants. If you’re trying to protect your pepper plants from these hungry visitors, it’s important to know which animals eat them and how you can protect your garden. Read on for the answers to frequently asked questions about What Animals Eat Pepper Plants in the Garden.
More About Peppers
Peppers, both hot and sweet, are members of the nightshade family and have been enjoyed by humans around the world for centuries. They can be found in a variety of colors, shapes, sizes, and heat levels to suit any taste. Peppers are also very versatile when it comes to cooking – they can be used fresh or dried, sprinkled over salads, cooked in sauces, and more.[1]
Aphids and Leafminers
Aphids and leaf miners are both very small insects that can cause damage to pepper plants. Aphids are tiny winged insects that feed on the plant’s sap, while leaf miners leave a winding trail of brown or yellow lines in the leaves as they feed.
Both of these pests can be controlled through the use of insecticides or organic methods, such as introducing beneficial insects (like ladybugs) or removing affected leaves.
Whiteflies, Beetles, and Other Insects
In addition to the larger animals that munch on pepper plants, there are a number of insects that enjoy snacking on them as well. Whiteflies, beetles, aphids, caterpillars, and other pests can all cause damage to pepper plants if left unchecked.
Spider Mites & Other Insects
While animals may not be the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to potential predators of your pepper plants, don’t forget about insects.
Caterpillars
Caterpillars are one of the most common culprits when it comes to eating pepper plants. These larvae, which eventually develop into butterflies and moths, can be found in gardens around the world. They feed on a variety of plants, including peppers. To protect your plants from caterpillars, there are a few strategies you can try. Handpicking the caterpillars off of plants is one way, as well as using insecticides or natural predators such as lacewings and ladybugs to keep them away.[1]
Tree Shrews and Peppers
Tree shrews are small, nocturnal mammals that live in trees and eat a variety of fruits, leaves, bugs, and flowers. Unfortunately, they also enjoy snacking on pepper plants from time to time. While they generally prefer sweet peppers over hot ones due to their sensitivity to capsaicin (the compound that makes peppers spicy), tree shrews can still cause quite a bit of destruction to an unprotected pepper plant. Luckily, there are a few ways you can deter tree shrews from eating your peppers.
Birds
Birds, like other animals, enjoy snacking on pepper plants. The most common birds attracted to your pepper plants are crows and blackbirds. These birds prefer the sweet varieties of peppers, so if you have these growing in your garden, they may be tempted to take a bite or two. You can protect your peppers from these birds by covering them with netting or placing decoy birds in your garden.
Thrips, Aphids, and Other Pests
Pepper plants can also be susceptible to pests like aphids and thrips. These tiny insects feed on the leaves of the plant, sucking out its juices and leaving behind yellow patches.
To get rid of these pests, try spraying your pepper plants with a mild insecticidal soap or neem oil solution. If the infestation is severe, you may need to call in a professional pest control company.[2]
Pepper Weevils
While many animals love to snack on pepper plants, there’s one particular insect that can cause significant damage: the pepper weevil. These small insects feed off of the fruit of pepper plants and can quickly ruin your crop if left unchecked. Luckily, they don’t affect humans and are relatively easy to spot and control with pesticide sprays or traps.
Hornworms
Hornworms are the larval form of a type of moth, and they love to snack on pepper plants. These caterpillars can quickly devour an entire plant if left unchecked. They can be identified by their dark green or black bodies that are covered in white dots and have a horn-like appendage near the head. To keep them away from your pepper plants, hand-pick any that you see in the garden and use natural insecticides like neem oil or diatomaceous earth.
Deer & Other Herbivores
The most common garden predators for pepper plants are deer, rabbits and groundhogs. Deer in particular love the sweet flavor of peppers and can eat them down to the stem if left unchecked. Rabbits also like peppers, although they tend to favor more leafy vegetables such as lettuce and kale. Groundhogs are huge fans of peppers, and they will often dig up entire plants to get at them.
Rabbits
Rabbits are one of the most commonly seen animals in gardens, and they definitely enjoy snacking on pepper plants. The leaves and stems of pepper plants contain more nutrients than the actual peppers themselves, so rabbits often go for these parts first. If you want to keep rabbits away from your garden, it’s a good idea to install a fence around your pepper plants to keep them out.
White Flies
Unfortunately, there are also some pests that enjoy snacking on pepper plants. Whiteflies are tiny white insects that feed on the sap of the leaves of the plant and can cause serious damage to a garden if left unchecked. These pests can be controlled by using insecticidal soap or an organic pesticide such as neem oil.
Caterpillars
One of the most common pests that feed on pepper plants are caterpillars. While some caterpillars, like those of butterflies and moths, don’t do much damage to the plants themselves, other species can be very destructive.
The larvae of cabbage loopers, corn earworms, tomato hornworms, and various armyworms all love pepper plants. These pests can quickly strip a plant of its leaves, leaving it weak and vulnerable to disease.[2]
Squirrels
Squirrels are some of the most common garden visitors looking for a snack. They especially love sweet peppers, but they’ll also go after hotter varieties if given the chance. To keep these furry critters away from your pepper plants, you can install fencing around your garden or use bird netting to protect your crops. You can also sprinkle chili powder on the peppers or use plastic owls to scare away squirrels.[2]
Slugs And Snails
Slugs and snails are some of the most common garden pests and can be a problem for pepper plants. They love to feed on young, tender leaves and stems, leaving behind slimy trails all over your plants. To protect your peppers from these critters, you can sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the base of your plants to keep them away. You can also try setting out beer traps, which attract the slugs and snails to their doom.
Attract Beneficial Insects
As well as deterring pests, attracting beneficial insects can help protect your pepper plants from damage. Ladybugs and lacewings eat the eggs of caterpillars and other pests that feed on pepper plants, while bees help pollinate them for a bigger harvest. To attract these useful critters to your garden, plant some flowers like cosmos or marigolds near your peppers. You can also create a water source by placing a shallow bowl of water near your plants, as some insects need to drink there to survive.
How To Stop Animals From Eating Your Peppers
Fence Your Garden
The best way to keep animals from eating your peppers is to build a fence around your garden. This will keep larger animals like deer and rabbits out, as well as smaller critters like tree shrews.
Make sure the fence is tall enough that animals cannot climb over it, and use wire mesh to stop them digging under it. If you’re unable to build a fence, try planting your peppers in raised beds so that animals can’t access them.[1]
Bird Netting
Another way to protect your peppers from birds is to cover them with bird netting. This will keep pesky crows and magpies from taking a bite, while still allowing bees and other beneficial insects access to the plants. Make sure the netting is secured firmly around the plants so that birds cannot get through it.
Sound Deterrents
If you have a problem with animals eating your peppers, you can try using sound deterrents to scare them away. These devices emit loud noises or flashing lights at specific intervals, which can be enough to make larger animals like deer and groundhogs flee the area. Just keep in mind that these deterrents need to be used sparingly or else they may become ineffective.
Chili Powder
One of the simplest ways to deter animals from eating your peppers is to sprinkle chili powder around them. This will make the plants taste unpleasant, which should be enough to keep most critters away. Just be sure to use a non-toxic variety, as some powders may contain pesticides or other harmful chemicals.[1]
Scent Deterrents
Another great way to keep animals from eating your peppers is to use scent deterrents. This can be anything from garlic or citrus peels to dried herbs like sage and rosemary.
Scare Deterrents
The last option is to use scare deterrents such as plastic owls or snakes. These are realistic-looking figures that can be placed around your pepper plants to scare away animals looking for a snack. They’re not always effective, but it’s worth giving them a try if other methods aren’t working.
Protecting your pepper plants from animals can be a difficult task, but it’s not impossible. With the right combination of fencing, netting, sound and scent deterrents, you should be able to keep most critters away from your peppers. Just remember that some pests are more persistent than others, so you may need to use multiple methods to get the desired results.[1]
FAQ
What ate my entire pepper plant?
It could be any number of animals, including rodents, birds, insects, or even larger mammals like deer and rabbits. The best way to identify the culprit is to inspect your garden for signs of damage and look for tracks or droppings that may indicate what kind of animal was responsible.
Do wild animals like peppers?
Yes, some wild animals are known to eat peppers. Squirrels and birds are particularly fond of the sweet varieties, while deer and rabbits may go for both hot and sweet peppers. To keep these critters away from your plants, you can install fencing or use bird netting around your garden.
Will rabbits eat pepper plants?
Yes, rabbits are known to eat pepper plants. They especially love the sweet varieties, so be sure to protect your peppers with a fence or bird netting if you have issues with bunnies in your garden. You can also sprinkle chili powder on the peppers or use sound and scent deterrents to scare them away.
How do I keep my rabbit from eating my peppers?
The best way to keep rabbits away from your pepper plants is to install fencing around your garden. Make sure the fence is tall enough that they cannot climb over it, and use wire mesh at the base to stop them from digging under it. You can also sprinkle chili powder on the peppers or use plastic owls as scare deterrents.
Do rabbits hate pepper?
No, rabbits actually enjoy eating pepper plants. They especially like the sweet varieties, so be sure to protect your peppers with fencing or bird netting if you have issues with bunnies in your garden. You can also use chili powder on the peppers or sound and scent deterrents to scare them away.
Do rabbits eat pepper leaves?
Yes, rabbits are known to eat the leaves of pepper plants. They especially enjoy sweet varieties, so be sure to protect your peppers with a fence or bird netting if you have issues with bunnies in your garden. You can also sprinkle chili powder on the peppers or use sound and scent deterrents to deter them from eating your plants.
What are rabbits worst enemy?
Rabbits have many natural predators, including foxes, coyotes, hawks, and owls. These animals are all capable of hunting rabbits if they come close enough. Additionally, humans can hunt or trap rabbits for sport or food. To protect your pepper plants from these predators, it’s important to use fencing or bird netting around your garden.
What repels rabbits from eating plants?
The best way to keep rabbits away from your pepper plants is to install fencing around your garden. You can also use chili powder on the peppers or sound and scent deterrents such as plastic owls or dried herbs like sage and rosemary. Additionally, some people have found success with chicken wire or even human hair placed around the base of plants.
Useful Video: What’s Eating Your Pepper Plants At Night? – Pepper Geek
Conclusion
Protecting your pepper plants from animals can be a difficult task, but it’s not impossible. With the right combination of fencing, netting, sound and scent deterrents, you should be able to keep most critters away from your peppers. Just remember that some pests are more persistent than others, so you may need to use multiple methods to get the desired results. Additionally, you may want to consider using more natural methods such as companion planting or mulching to discourage animals from eating your peppers. With a bit of effort and some patience, you should be able to keep your plants safe from hungry critters!
References:
- https://www.fallsgarden.com/animals-that-eat-pepper-plants/
- https://gardenbenchtop.com/what-animal-is-eating-my-pepper-plants-at-night/