What Animals Eat Strawberries?
Whether you’re planting strawberries in your garden or trying to grow them from seed, you’ll need to watch out for animals who might be eating them. Some of the most common culprits include squirrels, deer, raccoons, and birds, among others.
Squirrels
If you notice small dents or holes in your strawberries, it’s possible that a squirrel has come by and eaten them. Squirrels are resourceful little rodents who like to eat a variety of smaller foods, including strawberries.
They may also eat them whole or even take a portion of the plant with them. This could make your strawberries look rotten or even missing altogether, so it’s important to check for any other culprits that could be responsible.
Rabbits
If rabbits are eating your strawberries, it’s best to keep them away from your garden or at least erect a fence to protect them. They love the sweet flavor of strawberries and will try to eat them at any chance they get.
Earwigs
Earwigs are one of the most common insects that eat strawberry plants. They prefer moist, sheltered, or hidden areas and will use the strawberry plant’s leaves as their food source.
If you want to prevent earwigs from eating your strawberries, you can spray them with repellant or smother them with citrus rind traps. You can also cut down on earwigs by keeping your strawberry plants well watered. Slugs are another problem, so you can place a board under the base of your strawberries during the night to catch them.