Chipmunks are small, striped rodents commonly found in backyards and gardens across North America. They are opportunistic feeders whose foraging activities often cause frustration for gardeners. When flowers or young plants suddenly disappear or are damaged, chipmunks are frequently the cause.
Confirming Chipmunks Eat Flowers
Chipmunks are omnivores, meaning their diet is naturally diverse and includes both plant and animal matter. While their diet primarily consists of nuts, seeds, and fruits, they readily consume garden vegetation. Flower consumption is part of their broader foraging strategy, especially when preferred food sources are scarce, such as in early spring or late fall. Their constant search for food to store in cheek pouches and cache for later often leads them directly into flower beds.
Vulnerable Plant Parts and Bulbs
Chipmunks specifically target certain parts of garden plants for their high nutritional value and ease of storage. The most sought-after parts are bulbs, which function as compact, energy-rich food sources. Gardeners frequently report losses of spring-flowering bulbs like tulips, crocus, and lilies to chipmunk activity. These underground structures are vulnerable because chipmunks are expert burrowers and can easily locate them using their keen sense of smell.
Other Targeted Vegetation
Beyond bulbs, chipmunks consume tender young shoots and newly sprouted seeds, which provide moisture and soft material. They may also chew on the petals and stems of flowers, especially during dry months when they seek moisture within the plant tissue. Highly desirable plants that are frequently targeted include strawberries, tomatoes, and certain ornamental seeds.
Identifying Damage and Discouraging Feeding
Damage caused by chipmunks can often be identified by small, neat holes in the soil, usually about an inch in diameter, near plants or foundations. These small excavations are typically less disruptive than the larger digging of a squirrel. Chipmunks also leave uprooted bulbs or partially buried seed caches as evidence of their foraging.
To reduce chipmunk feeding, gardeners can employ exclusion methods to protect vulnerable plantings. When planting bulbs, placing them within wire mesh cages or covering the soil surface with hardware cloth creates a physical barrier. This mesh should have openings large enough for shoots to emerge but small enough to prevent digging. Planting species that chipmunks find unappealing can also help redirect their activity away from favored flowers, such as:
- Daffodils
- Alliums
- Lavender
- Mint