Gardeners often face the issue of ornamental plants, such as petunias, being damaged by small backyard wildlife. Since many common garden pests are active during the day, it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact culprit responsible for the destruction. Determining whether the damage is caused by an herbivore, a rodent digging a cache, or an insect is the first step toward effective mitigation. Understanding the feeding habits of local small mammals, especially chipmunks, is necessary to protect flower beds.
The Direct Answer: Are Petunias a Primary Food Source?
Chipmunks are omnivores whose diet primarily consists of high-energy resources like seeds, nuts, grains, and subterranean items such as flower bulbs. Petunias, which are mostly foliage and water, do not offer the high caloric density these small mammals require for their active metabolism or winter cache preparation. Therefore, petunias are not considered a staple food source for chipmunks.
Chipmunks are opportunists, however, and will consume flowers, buds, and tender new growth when preferred foods are scarce or when they are seeking moisture during dry periods. A readily available, easy-to-access flower like the petunia becomes a secondary target. This opportunistic feeding typically leads to visible damage in containers and garden beds, often resulting from incidental foraging.
Identifying Damage: Chipmunk vs. Other Pests
Distinguishing chipmunk damage from that of other common garden pests requires close inspection of the plant and surrounding soil. Chipmunks cause damage through a combination of feeding and extensive digging activity. They may chew on petunia flowers or buds, often leaving behind partially eaten blossoms rather than consuming the entire plant.
Digging Activity
The most telling sign is the presence of small, distinct holes, usually one to two inches in diameter, dug near the base of the petunia. This digging indicates the chipmunk is searching for a buried bulb, caching food, or establishing a burrow entrance. This subterranean activity often results in the petunia being uprooted or its roots being disturbed, causing the displaced plant to wilt.
Other Common Pests
Rabbit damage is characterized by clean, sharp cuts to the stems and leaves, appearing as if the plant was neatly clipped. This feeding usually occurs close to the ground. Slugs and snails leave irregular, smooth holes in the petals and leaves, often accompanied by a silvery slime trail. Squirrels cause more widespread disturbance by digging larger holes to bury nuts, but they are less likely to systematically chew petunia foliage.
Practical Strategies for Deterrence
When chipmunks are identified as the issue, implementing physical barriers is an effective method of protection. For container gardens or small beds, a layer of coarse mulch, such as shredded bark or pine needles, can discourage digging by making the soil surface uncomfortable. For targeted protection, burying quarter-inch hardware cloth six inches deep around the perimeter of a bed prevents access for burrowing or caching.
Habitat Modification
Habitat modification reduces the likelihood of chipmunks visiting the area near your petunias. This involves removing elements that provide safety or food sources. Removing potential hiding spots, such as woodpiles, dense ground cover, or debris near the garden, decreases the sense of safety chipmunks require. Reducing spilled seed from bird feeders is also helpful, as this is a highly preferred food source that draws them into the immediate vicinity.
Repellents
Repellents that rely on taste or scent aversion can be applied directly to the plants and surrounding soil. Granular repellents containing predator scents, such as fox or coyote urine, can signal danger to the chipmunks. Alternatively, capsaicin-based sprays or powders, derived from chili peppers, make the petunia unpalatable without harming the animal. These deterrents must be reapplied frequently, especially after watering or rainfall, to maintain efficacy.