Lavender, celebrated for its appealing fragrance and visual charm, is a popular choice for gardens and landscapes globally. Its widespread cultivation often leads to questions about how various animals interact with this aromatic plant, especially concerning its consumption. Understanding these interactions provides insight into garden ecology and animal behavior.
Common Lavender Consumers
Deer generally avoid lavender due to its strong scent and bitter taste, making it a commonly recommended plant for areas prone to deer activity. In periods of extreme food scarcity, deer might occasionally nibble on lavender, though it is not a preferred food source. Deer can also inadvertently damage young lavender plants by trampling them while searching for more palatable vegetation.
Rabbits, similar to deer, tend to be deterred by lavender’s potent fragrance and its somewhat coarse texture. Many rabbits bypass it in favor of other plants. Despite its general deterrent effect, a particularly unselective rabbit might still choose to nibble on lavender.
Occasional or Incidental Eaters
While lavender’s strong scent often deters many rodents, some might still interact with the plant under specific circumstances. Mice and rats generally find lavender’s aroma displeasing, positioning it as a natural deterrent against these pests. However, voles have been observed eating lavender plants, particularly their roots. This can be damaging to smaller lavender plants or when alternative food sources are scarce.
Domestic pets like dogs and cats are not typical consumers of lavender, and ingestion can lead to mild toxicity. Lavender contains compounds such as linalool and linalyl acetate, which can cause adverse reactions if consumed in significant quantities. Symptoms in pets might include gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea. While the plant itself has relatively low concentrations of these compounds, highly concentrated forms like essential oils pose a greater risk.
Animals That Are Deterred by Lavender
Lavender is recognized for its ability to repel a variety of insects due to its strong, aromatic compounds. Its essential oils contain substances like linalool, linalyl acetate, 1,8-cineole, and camphor, which interfere with the sensory systems of many pests.
Mosquitoes are repelled by lavender, with studies showing that crushed flowers and lavender essential oil can effectively deter them. The plant’s strong scent overwhelms a mosquito’s ability to locate hosts, making it a useful natural barrier. Moths are also sensitive to lavender’s aroma, which disrupts their ability to lay eggs and acts as a repellent for clothes moths. This property makes dried lavender a traditional choice for protecting stored fabrics. Lavender’s potent fragrance also helps deter other common garden pests, including fleas and flies.