Squirrels are a familiar sight in parks and backyards, but they can quickly become frustrating garden pests. These highly adaptable rodents view cultivated spaces, including herb gardens, as potential foraging grounds. Understanding the motivations behind their garden visits is the first step in protecting your plants from their opportunistic feeding habits.
Do Squirrels Actually Eat Parsley?
Squirrels will consume parsley, though it is not their primary or preferred food source. While they are generally drawn to high-energy foods like nuts and seeds, they readily explore other options in the garden. When a squirrel is observed eating parsley, it is often a sign of opportunistic feeding driven by necessity or curiosity.
Parsley offers nutritional benefits that can attract them, including a source of Vitamin C, fiber, and minerals like potassium and zinc. Young, tender growth or the seeds of the plant are particularly appealing, making newly planted herbs especially vulnerable to being nibbled or uprooted. While the strong aroma of some mature herbs deters them, parsley’s milder scent and soft foliage make it a more palatable choice than pungent varieties.
Understanding Squirrel Foraging Behavior
Squirrels are classified as scatter-hoarders, meaning they bury individual food items across a wide area for later retrieval. This instinctual behavior is a primary reason for disturbed soil in garden beds, as they are constantly digging to either cache a nut or search for a previously buried one. Their diet is highly varied and changes with the seasons, consisting mainly of nuts, seeds, fungi, insects, and tree buds. This broad diet means they are constantly seeking new or easy sources of nutrition, which often leads them to garden greens.
A significant motivator for eating plants like parsley is hydration, particularly during hot or dry periods. Squirrels require an average of 30 to 60 milliliters of water daily, and they can obtain this moisture content from plant material when standing water is scarce. Their opportunistic nature also means they will try non-traditional foods if their usual staples are temporarily unavailable or if they are experiencing higher energy demands. The presence of newly turned, soft soil from planting is also an invitation for them to bury their caches, often resulting in plants being inadvertently uprooted.
Effective Strategies for Protecting Your Herb Garden
Physical Exclusion
Protecting a parsley patch effectively requires a multi-layered approach that addresses both the squirrel’s physical access and its sensory perception. The most reliable method is physical exclusion, which prevents the animal from reaching the plants altogether. This can be achieved by constructing small cages or covers using hardware cloth, a woven metal mesh with openings too small for a squirrel to pass through.
For small herb beds or containers, a protective dome or cloche made from chicken wire or hardware cloth can be temporarily placed over the plants, especially when the herbs are young and most vulnerable. The barrier must be secured firmly to the ground or the pot’s rim, as squirrels will attempt to push or lift covers to gain access. For in-ground gardens, burying the exclusion material a few inches deep can also prevent squirrels from digging underneath.
Sensory Deterrents
Sensory deterrents exploit the squirrel’s strong sense of smell and taste, making the garden area unappealing without causing harm. Sprays containing capsaicin, the compound that gives chili peppers their heat, are highly effective as squirrels dislike the strong, burning taste. These taste-based deterrents must be reapplied regularly, especially after rain or watering, to maintain their efficacy.
Planting strong-smelling herbs like mint, garlic, or chives near the parsley can act as a natural, non-physical barrier, as the strong odors can confuse or repel the squirrels. Some gardeners also use granular or liquid repellents based on scents like peppermint oil or castor oil, strategically placing them at the perimeter of the herb area. A simple diversion tactic can also be helpful, such as placing a shallow dish of water away from the garden, offering an easier source of hydration and reducing the need to consume plants for moisture.