Squirrels are common in gardens and are known for their opportunistic foraging habits. Gardeners often cultivate basil for its aromatic leaves and culinary use, but they frequently wonder if this popular herb is safe from local wildlife. Understanding the dietary preferences of squirrels is important for protecting your plants. This article addresses the consumption of basil by squirrels and provides strategies to safeguard your harvest.
Squirrels and Basil Consumption
Squirrels generally do not target basil as a preferred food source, but they may consume it out of necessity or when other food is scarce. These rodents primarily seek high-calorie foods like nuts, seeds, and fruits for energy and fat content. When environmental conditions are harsh, such as during a drought or when typical forage is depleted, squirrels become less selective. They may then turn to the tender leaves and stems of basil.
If a squirrel is eating basil, they typically chew through the soft plant material above the soil line, leaving ragged stems. It is important to distinguish this damage from that of insects, which often appears as small holes or skeletonized leaves. Squirrel activity is also indicated by signs of digging, where the plant may be completely uprooted or soil is displaced. This consumption is usually a sign of extreme hunger or a lack of more appealing options nearby.
Why Basil is Usually Less Appealing
Basil is not a favorite food for squirrels due to its potent chemical composition. Basil leaves contain a high concentration of volatile organic compounds, which create its distinctive, strong aroma and flavor. These compounds are part of the plant’s natural defense mechanism against various pests.
Specific essential oils like eugenol, linalool, and estragole are abundant in basil and contribute to its pungent profile. For many animals, this intense flavor is interpreted as bitter or irritating, prompting them to seek less aggressively flavored plants. While these compounds deter numerous insects, they also make the herb unappetizing to squirrels. Squirrels prioritize palatable, nutrient-dense foods.
Protecting Your Basil Plants
Gardeners experiencing basil loss can implement several methods to deter squirrels effectively. One reliable strategy involves using physical barriers to prevent access to the plants. Enclosing basil in a cage made of hardware cloth or chicken wire provides a sturdy barrier that squirrels cannot bypass. Plastic bird netting can also be draped over plants, but it must be secured firmly to the ground to prevent animals from pushing underneath.
Applying taste and scent repellents directly to the area can also discourage foraging. A simple application of finely ground cayenne pepper dusted around the base of the plant provides an immediate, unpleasant taste deterrent. For a more sustained approach, commercial repellent sprays using strong scents, such as mint or predator urine, can signal danger or unpalatability to squirrels.
Strategic planting, known as companion planting, can enhance basil’s natural deterrent effect. Positioning basil next to other strongly scented herbs, such as rosemary, mint, or lavender, creates a concentrated area of repellent aroma. This barrier makes the area less inviting to squirrels, encouraging them to forage elsewhere.