For many home gardeners, a bushy-tailed visitor near a freshly planted herb patch signals a potential problem. Cilantro, a popular culinary herb known for its bright, distinctive flavor, is often in the path of common garden foragers. This leads many to wonder if cilantro is a target for local squirrel populations. Determining if this aromatic herb is on the menu is the first step in protecting a thriving garden.
Squirrel Dietary Habits and Preferences
Squirrels are classified as opportunistic omnivores, meaning their diet is highly flexible and adapted to whatever food sources are readily available in their environment. Their primary focus is high-caloric foods, such as nuts, seeds, and fungi, which offer concentrated energy, especially in the fall and winter months.
During spring and summer, when these foods are less abundant, the squirrel diet shifts to include more seasonal vegetation. This involves consuming tree buds, flowers, leaves, and fruits. They also supplement their diet with insects, bird eggs, and other animal matter for necessary protein and fat. Squirrels are primarily driven by the caloric density and accessibility of a food source.
The Specifics of Cilantro Consumption
The direct answer to whether squirrels eat cilantro is yes, they certainly will, but it is typically a secondary food choice driven by hunger or a lack of more appealing options. This herb is generally considered non-toxic and safe for squirrels to consume, offering a source of vitamins and minerals such as calcium, potassium, and folate. However, the plant possesses a natural chemical defense that can deter some animals.
Cilantro’s polarizing flavor and strong aroma are due to organic compounds known as aldehydes. These compounds are responsible for the intense, sometimes “soapy” or pungent taste that many animals find off-putting. This strong flavor profile means that while a desperate squirrel may sample the plant, it is often not their first choice when nuts or fruits are accessible.
Gardeners suggest squirrels are more likely to damage cilantro when it is newly sprouted or when they are digging for other reasons. The tender, new growth is more palatable before the plant develops its full concentration of volatile aldehydes. Squirrels also forage opportunistically, meaning they may take a bite simply because the leaf is present, even if they do not consume the entire plant. This exploratory behavior, coupled with their tendency to dig and bury food, often leads to the destruction of entire herb patches.
Strategies for Protecting Herb Gardens
Protecting an herb garden from squirrels requires a two-pronged approach, focusing on physical exclusion and sensory deterrence. Installing a physical barrier is the most reliable method to prevent access to the herb leaves and the soil beneath.
Physical Barriers
Gardeners often use fine-mesh netting or hardware cloth cut to fit over pots and raised beds. The mesh should be secured firmly to the container or ground, allowing the herb to grow while preventing the squirrel from digging or pulling up the plants. For single potted herbs, a wire cage or a chicken wire cloche can be placed over the plant to act as a dome-like shield. This creates an immediate physical obstacle that squirrels cannot easily bypass.
Sensory Deterrence
Sensory deterrents exploit the squirrel’s highly developed sense of smell to make the area undesirable. Applying a repellent containing capsaicin, the compound found in chili peppers, can discourage foraging. Squirrels find the spicy sensation unpleasant, and it is a humane method to train them to avoid the treated area. Natural, strong-smelling substances like peppermint oil, garlic, or apple cider vinegar can be diluted and sprayed onto the soil or surrounding areas. These scents are overpowering to the squirrel’s olfactory system and can signal danger or unappealing food. Regular reapplication of scent-based deterrents is necessary, especially after rain or watering, to maintain their effectiveness. Finally, minimizing other accessible food sources, such as bird feeders or fallen fruit, can reduce the overall foraging pressure on the herb garden.