Gardeners often wonder if squirrels eat parsley and how to protect their plants. This article explores the relationship between squirrels and parsley, detailing their typical diet and offering practical strategies for safeguarding your herbs.
Do Squirrels Eat Parsley
While squirrels can eat parsley, it is generally not their preferred food. Parsley has a strong flavor and is lower in caloric appeal compared to nuts or fruits, which are common dietary staples. As opportunistic feeders, they may consume parsley if other appealing food options are scarce.
Parsley is not toxic to squirrels and can even be beneficial in small quantities. This leafy green contains vitamins and antioxidants considered healthy for them.
Understanding Squirrel Diets
Squirrels are omnivores with a diverse diet that adapts to seasonal availability. Their natural diet primarily consists of plant-based foods, including nuts like acorns, walnuts, pecans, and hazelnuts. They also consume various seeds, fruits such as berries, apples, and grapes, and vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and squash. Fungi, tree bark, and tender leaf buds also form part of their regular intake.
Although predominantly herbivorous, squirrels may supplement their diet with animal matter. This can include insects like grasshoppers, bird eggs, or even small animals, particularly when other food sources are limited or when they require additional protein, such as during breeding season. Their opportunistic feeding habits mean they forage in various places, including gardens.
Protecting Parsley from Squirrels
The most effective way to protect parsley from squirrels involves physical barriers that prevent access. Covering plants with fine mesh netting, garden mesh, or chicken wire creates a barrier while still allowing sunlight and water to reach the plants. For individual plants, a cage made from hardware cloth or chicken wire, securely fastened at the base, can deter digging and chewing. If using fencing around a garden bed, it should be at least four feet high and extend several inches into the ground to prevent squirrels from climbing over or digging underneath.
Various humane deterrents can also discourage squirrels from your parsley. Squirrels dislike strong scents, so applying peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, coffee grounds, or garlic around the plants can be effective. These natural repellents typically require reapplication after rain to maintain their efficacy. Motion-activated sprinklers can startle squirrels with a burst of water, discouraging them from lingering in the area.
Another strategy involves planting companion plants that squirrels tend to avoid, such as mint, marigolds, or alliums, around your parsley beds. Providing alternative food sources like nuts, seeds, or corn in a dedicated area away from your garden can distract squirrels and reduce their interest in your parsley.