Do you have a garden and grow strawberries? If so, you may be wondering what animals eat strawberries in the garden. The answer to that question may surprise you!
In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss all of the different animals that enjoy eating strawberries. We will also provide useful tips to help you keep your strawberry plants safe and healthy.
What Animals Eat Strawberries in the Garden
One of the most delightful aspects of strawberry season is watching the animals that come to enjoy them as much as we do. From birds to bees to furry little creatures, there are all sorts of animals that love strawberries.
Raccoons
Raccoons are one of the most common animals to eat strawberries in gardens. They have a strong sense of smell and are attracted to the sweetness of the fruit.
Raccoons will oftentimes dig up entire plants in search of strawberries. If you have a raccoon problem in your garden, there are a few things you can do to deter them.
- One way to keep raccoons away from your strawberries is to erect a fence around the perimeter of your garden.
- Raccoons are good climbers, so the fence should be at least six feet tall. You can also add an electric wire to the top of the fence to deter them even further.
- Another way is to use a repellent. There are many different types of repellents available on the market, so be sure to read the labels carefully before purchasing one. [1]
Deer
Deer will eat just about anything, including strawberries.
Another option is to plant your strawberries in an area that the deer don’t frequent as much. Deer like to eat plants, so if you have a lot of deer in your garden, you might want to plant your strawberries in a spot where the deer can’t find them.
If you have a small garden, or if deer are eating your strawberries, you may need to fence in your strawberries. A fence around your strawberry plants will keep the deer out and allow your strawberries to grow without being eaten. [1]
Turtles
One of the animals that love strawberries are turtles. While not all turtles will eat strawberries, many species including box turtles, wood turtles, and soft-shelled turtles enjoy them.
If you’re thinking about feeding your turtle strawberries, it’s important to do your research first. Some turtles can’t digest strawberries properly and it could make them sick.
Additionally, strawberries should not be a regular part of a turtle’s diet because they can cause gastrointestinal problems. Turtles can have a few strawberries as a special treat, but too many can be harmful.
If you want to give your turtle strawberries, make sure to wash them first. Cut them into small pieces so the turtle can eat them easily. You can also offer frozen or dried strawberries.
Hamsters
Hamsters are one of the most common pets in the world, and many people think of them as being relatively low-maintenance. However, hamsters do require a bit of care and attention, especially when it comes to their diet.
They should not eat too many sweets, including strawberries. While a strawberry here and there won’t hurt your hamster, feeding them too many can lead to obesity and other health problems.
If you do decide to give your hamster a strawberry, it is important to cut it up into small pieces. This will help prevent your hamster from choking on the fruit. [1]
Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are one of the many animals that love strawberries. In fact, they love them so much that they will often eat the entire strawberry, including the stem and leaves.
While this is not necessarily harmful to them, it can lead to an upset stomach if they eat too many strawberries at once.
Guinea pigs are also known to be very curious creatures, so it is not uncommon for them to try to nibble on other things in the garden as well, such as flowers or vegetables.
While most of these will not hurt them, there are some that can be poisonous. If you are unsure about what your guinea pig can and cannot eat, it is best to consult with a veterinarian or other pet expert.
Bearded Dragons
Bearded dragons are a type of lizard that originates from Australia. They are omnivores, which means they will eat both plants and animals. In the wild, their diet consists of insects, small mammals, and fruits.
When it comes to strawberries, bearded dragons will usually only eat the fruit if it is already cut up into small pieces. This is because they have trouble digesting the seeds and skin of the strawberry. If you do decide to give your bearded dragon strawberries, make sure to remove the seeds and cut them into small pieces.
Another reason why you might want to cut up the strawberries is because bearded dragons tend to eat whatever food is in front of their face first. This means that if you put a whole strawberry in front of them, they will most likely eat the part that is closest to their mouth first. By cutting up the strawberry into small pieces, you can help ensure that they get a more balanced diet.
Bearded dragons can be susceptible to calcium deficiency. This means that they absorb calcium from their food less efficiently than other reptiles. As a result, you might want to consider giving your bearded dragon supplements that contain calcium. You can also add foods that are high in calcium to their diet, such as kale or collard greens.
Birds
The most common bird that eats strawberries in the garden is probably the robin. However, other birds such as bluebirds, finches, and orioles also enjoy eating these fruits. Some of these birds will even help to spread the seeds around your garden!
There are several ways to stop birds from eating your strawberries.
- Hang a scarecrow in your garden.
- Use Mylar balloons.
- You can also use netting to keep the birds from getting to the fruit.
Rabbits
Rabbits are one of the most common animals that eat strawberries in the garden. In fact, they love fruit and vegetables, and will often eat the entire strawberry plant if given the chance.
If you have a rabbit problem in your garden, there are a few things you can do to deter them.
- First, try planting some marigolds around your strawberries. Rabbits don’t like the smell of marigolds, so this may help keep them away.
- You can also try putting up a fence around your strawberry patch. This will not only keep rabbits out, but it will also keep other animals from getting to your strawberries. [1]
Marmots
Marmots are a type of large ground squirrel. They are native to North America and Europe.
Marmots are large ground squirrels that live in North America and Europe. They eat plants, fruits, nuts, insects, and small animals. If you have a problem with marmots in your garden, you can try to trap them and move them to a new location or scare them away with loud noises or water.
Rodents
Rats And Mice
Rats and mice love strawberries. In fact, they will often go out of their way to find them. If you have a rat or mouse problem in your garden, it is likely that they are eating your strawberries.
There are a few things you can do to deter rats and mice from eating your strawberries.
- First, try to keep your garden clean and free of debris. This will make it more difficult for them to hide and build nests.
- Second, consider using traps or bait stations to catch and remove rats and mice from your garden.
Finally, make sure to pick strawberries as soon as they are ripe so that rats and mice don’t have a chance to eat them. [2]
Squirrels
Squirrels are one of the most common animals that eat strawberries in gardens. They are attracted to the sweetness of the fruit and will often take more than they can eat, leaving half-eaten berries scattered around.
In some cases, they may even strip a plant of all its fruit. If you have a squirrel problem in your garden, there are a few things you can do to deter them.
- One way to deter squirrels is to place wire mesh or chicken wire around the base of the strawberry plants.
- Another option is to use a commercial repellent spray, but these can be expensive and may not be effective for all types of squirrels.
- Finally, you can try trapping the squirrels and relocating them elsewhere. [2]
Burrowing Rodents
Moles, gophers, and groundhogs love to eat strawberries. They will burrow underground and create tunnels to get to the fruit. While they are eating the strawberry plants, they will also damage the roots.
This can lead to problems like plant disease and death. If you have a problem with these rodents in your garden, there are a few things you can do to get rid of them.
- You can try traps, baits, or poisons.
- You can also try to create a physical barrier around the plants with chicken wire or hardware cloth.
- Make sure that the area is free of debris and overgrown vegetation. This will eliminate potential hiding spots for these animals.
- You should also remove any food sources that might attract them to the area such as garbage, pet food, or bird seed.
Insects
Weevils
The strawberry weevil is a small brown beetle that infests strawberries, both wild and cultivated. The adult beetle lays eggs inside the strawberry, and when the larvae hatch they eat their way out, leaving a tell-tale hole in the fruit.
Strawberry weevils are a major problem for strawberry growers, as they can ruin an entire crop. The best way to control them is to pick the strawberries as soon as they ripen and destroy any that show signs of damage. [2]
Spittlebugs
Spittlebugs are small, black and white insects that you may find on the underside of leaves. They pierce the plant to suck out its juices, which can cause the leaf to deform or discolor. If there are enough of them, they can weaken the plant and reduce its fruit production. You can control spittlebugs by spraying them with water or an insecticide.
If there are enough of them, they can weaken the plant and reduce its fruit production; however, you can control spittlebugs by spraying them with water or an insecticide.
How Do You Tell What is Eating Your Strawberries?
There are a few things you can look for to figure out what is eating your strawberries. Look at the patterns of damage and see if there are any droppings or tracks left behind. This will give you an idea of which animals are coming into your garden.
One of the most common causes of strawberry plants being eaten is deer.
You can tell if deer have eaten your strawberries by looking for large bite marks on the berries and leaves. You might also see hoof prints around the strawberry plants.
How Do You Protect Strawberries from Animals?
One way to stop animals from eating your strawberries is to build a fence around your garden. You can use chicken wire, hardware cloth, or even welded wire.
The fence should be at least three feet tall and buried a few inches underground so animals can’t dig under it. If you have deer in your area, the fence might need to be taller. You can also try using netting over your strawberry plants to stop birds from getting to the berries, but it won’t do anything against small mammals.
If you want to deter animals naturally, you can use plants like marigolds, lavender, and mint. You can also try using commercial repellents, but be careful to read the labels carefully. Some of these products can be harmful to animals and humans if used incorrectly.
FAQ
What is Eating the Strawberries In My Garden?
This is a difficult question to answer without more information. Some common culprits of strawberry theft include birds, squirrels, deer, rabbits, and even bears.
However, there are ways to determine which animal is eating your strawberries. Look for footprints or other evidence around the strawberry plants. If you see any damage to the plant itself, that can also be helpful in identifying the culprit.
Can Raccoons Eat Strawberries?
Yes, raccoons eat strawberries. In fact, they will often raid strawberry patches in search of ripe fruits. While they will eat both wild and cultivated strawberries, they prefer the latter. Raccoons are attracted to the sweetness of cultivated berries and will often ignore sour or unripe fruits.
Will Squirrels Eat Strawberries?
The little red fruit that we humans so love has a different effect on animals. Some animals will eat strawberries, while others will avoid them. The same goes for squirrels.
Most squirrels enjoy eating strawberries, as they are small and easy to eat. However, there are some instances where squirrels will not touch them.
If the strawberries are too ripe, they will not be as appealing to squirrels. Ripe strawberries are also softer, which makes them harder for squirrels to eat.
Do Rats Eat Strawberries?
Rats are omnivores, which means they’ll eat anything. This includes strawberries. In fact, rats have been known to destroy entire strawberry crops. If you have a rat problem in your garden, it’s best to get rid of them as soon as possible before they do too much damage.
There are a few ways to get rid of rats. You can trap them or poison them. Trapping is the more humane way to go, but it does take some time and effort. If you decide to trap rats, make sure you check the traps regularly so that you can release any non-target animals that may have been caught.
Do Rabbits Eat Strawberries?
Yes, rabbits love strawberries! In fact, strawberries are one of their favorite fruits. However, you should only give your rabbit a few strawberries per week as part of a balanced diet. Too many strawberries can cause diarrhea in rabbits.
When feeding your rabbit strawberries, make sure to wash them first to remove any pesticides or dirt. You can also remove the stem and leaves, which can be harmful to rabbits.
Useful Video: Use PVC Pipe to Protect Strawberries from Insects!
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is interesting to note that a variety of animals enjoy eating strawberries in the garden. Even though this may not have any practical implications for most people, it is important to create a healthy and diverse ecosystem in your backyard or garden.
By planting a variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as flowers that attract pollinators, homeowners can create an environment where wildlife can thrive. Adding plants to your landscape is not only beautiful, but also helps promote biodiversity and supports local ecosystems.
Have you seen any other interesting creatures enjoying your strawberry plants? Let us know in the comments!
References:
- https://wildexplained.com/what-animals-eat-strawberries/
- https://lawncaregrandpa.com/what-is-eating-my-strawberries-lets-find-out/