Chipmunks are small, striped rodents common across North America, frequently observed foraging in gardens and woodlands. Their preference for easily accessible food sources often leads them directly to cultivated fruit patches. Chipmunks are highly attracted to strawberries and will often bypass other food to seek out the ripe, sweet fruit. They are particularly drawn to berries planted close to the ground, which makes them an easy target for these diurnal foragers.
Why Strawberries are an Irresistible Treat
The attraction chipmunks have for strawberries is rooted in the fruit’s composition. Strawberries contain a high concentration of simple sugars, which are an immediate and dense source of energy for the active rodents. This caloric reward is a powerful biological incentive for foraging animals.
Strawberries are composed of about 91% water. This high moisture content provides a substantial hydration source, which is particularly valuable during hot or dry periods. Chipmunks possess a keen sense of smell, allowing them to easily locate the ripest berries, preferring sweet flavor and soft texture over tart, unripe fruit. They readily feed on berries directly from the plant or pick up fallen fruit, often resulting in partially eaten or missing strawberries in a patch.
The Natural Diet of a Chipmunk
While garden strawberries are a sought-after seasonal treat, they represent only a small, opportunistic part of a chipmunk’s diet. Chipmunks are omnivorous, consuming a diverse array of both plant and animal matter. Their typical sustenance centers on nuts and seeds, which are rich in the fats and proteins necessary for building up winter reserves.
They also consume grains, fungi, berries, and vegetation, foraging primarily on the ground or climbing shrubs and small trees. The diet is supplemented by animal protein, including insects, larvae, slugs, snails, and small eggs. Chipmunks use their expansive cheek pouches to transport food back to their burrows, where they cache it for later consumption during winter torpor. Strawberries, despite their appeal, are not nutritionally balanced for long-term health due to their high sugar content and low protein relative to nuts and seeds.
Practical Steps to Deter Chipmunks from Your Garden
Protecting a strawberry patch from chipmunk damage requires implementing physical barriers and reducing environmental attractants. One effective method is to use fine-mesh hardware cloth or netting to create a secure enclosure around the strawberry bed. The barrier must be tightly secured and ideally buried a few inches into the soil to prevent the rodents from tunneling underneath.
Eliminating other readily available food sources near your garden is also important. Fallen birdseed, a high-calorie favorite, should be cleaned up regularly, or the feeder should be removed entirely. Eliminating ground cover, rock piles, or dense shrubbery near the patch is helpful, as these areas provide chipmunks with protective cover and easier access. Natural repellents, such as sprinkling coffee grounds or applying sprays containing strong odors like peppermint or capsaicin, can be used, though these often require frequent reapplication.