The common curiosity about what backyard wildlife consumes often includes whether the familiar, three-leafed clover is on the menu for squirrels. Squirrels are highly opportunistic foragers, and the answer is yes, they do eat clover. This consumption is driven by seasonal availability and specific nutritional needs, making clover an occasional snack rather than a staple of their diet. Understanding this behavior is the first step toward implementing effective, non-lethal strategies to protect your lawn and garden.
Is Clover Part of a Squirrel’s Diet?
Squirrels consume clover for specific nutritional reasons, primarily seeking out the green matter for hydration and certain micronutrients. The plant offers a source of fresh vegetable matter, which helps supplement their diet when high-calorie foods are unavailable. Clover is rich in protein, making it an attractive option during periods of increased physical demand, such as late winter or early spring when new growth emerges.
The animals target various parts of the clover plant depending on the season. They commonly nibble on the tender leaves and the white or pink flowers, which offer the most succulent parts above ground. They may also consume the roots in times of extreme scarcity. This foraging activity often becomes more noticeable during drought conditions when other sources of moisture and greenery are limited.
What Squirrels Prefer to Eat
Squirrels are classified as omnivores, and their diet is centered on food items that provide a high concentration of energy. Their primary food sources are the nuts and seeds of trees, such as acorns, walnuts, pecans, and hickory nuts, which they cache for later consumption. These items are rich in fats and carbohydrates, providing the necessary fuel for their highly active lifestyle.
Beyond nuts, their diet includes fruits, berries, and fungi. They also exhibit opportunistic feeding behaviors by consuming tree buds, flowers, and occasionally insects or bird eggs to meet protein requirements. This varied approach means that while they will try clover, they always prioritize the densest, most energy-rich foods available in their immediate environment.
Strategies to Deter Squirrels
Protecting vulnerable plants involves implementing humane methods that make the area less appealing to a foraging squirrel. Physical barriers are one of the most effective solutions for preventing access to specific plants or garden beds. Installing chicken wire or fine mesh netting over newly seeded areas or around valuable plants creates an obstacle that is difficult for them to breach.
You can also use scent-based deterrents that squirrels find unpleasant without causing them harm. Applying a spray containing capsaicin, the compound that makes chili peppers hot, or spreading peppermint oil-soaked cotton balls near the plants discourages feeding. Another practical step is to secure or remove easily accessible primary food sources, such as by switching to specialized squirrel-proof bird feeders, which reduces the incentive for them to linger in your yard.