Do Squirrels Eat Dahlias? Effective Strategies to Prevent Damage!

If you have Dahlias plants in your garden and you are worried about the damage of these plants. Let me tell you, many people asked about “Do Squirrels Eat Dahlias?” Yes, squirrels eat dahlias, and they are behind the damage to your plants. They like to eat dahlia bulbs because of their rich nutrient contents. To fulfill their dietary requirements, they can cause heavy damage to your dahlia plants.

You can restrict squirrels from damaging your dahlia plants by applying different strategies. You can use different deterrents to protect your beautiful plants from damage. I will guide you to stop squirrels from eating your plants. Keep your garden flourished and attractive by repelling dahlia pests and other attackers. 

Key Takeaways

“Do Squirrels Eat Dahlias?” Let’s take a look at what is inside this article.

Dietary Preferences of Squirrels

Squirrels like a variety of food, and the major portion is fruits, seeds, nuts, and vegetables. This dietary pattern develops their strong connection with gardens. And when squirrels are in your garden they always try to eat everything available here. They have a habit of nipping branches and chewing different plants and trees. This habit of squirrels is always a warning sign for your dahlia plants.

Dahlias as Potential Squirrel Food

Squirrels like to eat dahlias, but they prefer them the least. Their first preference is nuts and seeds, and after these, they like to eat fruits.  They eat dahlia bulbs, which are rich in nutrients. Generally, squirrels do not search for dahlias. But when they do not find another food source, they eat dahlias, flowers, bulbs or sometimes leaves too. 

Your dahlia plants are at risk when there are squirrels in your garden. If the dahlia plant is among other food sources, then this risk is higher. To save your dahlias, you have to take some preventive measures to restrict squirrels. Always remain proactive and adopt preventive strategies before the plants get damaged.

Are There Other Animals That Eat Dahlias?

Dahlias are very nutritious plants, and most herbivorous animals like to eat them. Higher fructose levels in dahlias make them the favorite food of most animals. Along with squirrels, other dahlia consumers are caterpillars, deer’s, slugs, snails, aphids, and rabbits. 

Dahlia’s pests always try to eat flowers, leaves, and bulbs, which damages the whole plant. Proper care and pest management can save your dahlias from any potential pest attack.

How To Protect Dahlias From Squirrels?

If you want to protect your dahlia plants from squirrels, you have got rid of squirrels. Use different squirrel repellents, give proper spacing between plants, and avoid growing nuts and fruit plants near dahlias. To minimize the risk of squirrels attacking dahlias, follow these strategies.

Effective Deterrent Strategies

It’s very important to deter squirrels in order to keep your dahlias safe. 

Interplanting

Use the interplanting technique and grow squirrels repellent plants and spices between dahlia plants. Grow plants like garlic, lavender, and onion. It will keep the squirrels away.

Squirrel Proof Containers

Place squirrel-proof containers alongside dahlia plants to keep squirrels away. Lubricate the containers from the outer side. It makes the surface slippery, and squirrels can’t climb the pot.

Chicken Wire

Use chicken wire because it’s an effective barrier for the squirrels. It restricts the squirrels from digging up the bulbs of dahlias.  

Natural Squirrel Repellents

Use natural squirrel repellents like cinnamon, coffee grounds, black pepper powder, or cayenne pepper. These repellents have very effective results with zero side effects. 

Predator Urine

Using the urine of squirrel predators makes them feel the presence of natural predators in the garden. This makes the squirrels frightened and they avoid such places. 

Cultivation Practices to Discourage Squirrels

Along with deterrents, you can also avoid squirrels by adopting improved cultivation practices. Grow dahlias in raised beds, which makes the squirrels’ access a little difficult. For this purpose, you can use hanging baskets or elevated pots. 

Following some good practices, you can create an environment that does not allow squirrels. Properly clean your garden after regular intervals and remove all debris and rotten fruits. Row plants at a proper distance and keep dahlia plants away from nuts and seeds plants.

Conclusion

Squirrels are very smart, and they do not compromise on their diet. People are worried about “Do Squirrels Eat Dahlias? I have answered in detail that Yes, squirrels eat dahlias. It’s not their favorite food, but they eat it when no other food is available. You can save your dahlias from squirrels by using the above-mentioned repelling techniques.