Chances are that if you’re wondering what animals eat strawberries, you’ve lost some of yours. When a GardensAll community member mentioned losing all of theirs this year, we dove into the research to find solutions.

When we recently posted our article on strawberry leaves benefits, Jason C. commented that:
“I guess I will eat the leaves since something has eaten all the strawberries.”

We figured it was rabbits, however, it turns out there are many different animals that eat strawberries and strawberry plants. Some also eat the leaves and roots of the plant.

Some dogs will also eat strawberries. Our friend’s dog love them as a treat, but ours have never been interested in them.

For more on what animals eat strawberries, here’s a list of possible culprits.

What Animals Eat Strawberries

1. Birds: Birds are one of the primary predators of strawberries. They are attracted to the red color and sweet taste of the ripe berries.
2. Chipmunks: These cute little rodents also enjoy the sweet taste of strawberries and may also eat the leaves and stems.
3. Deer: Deer can devour all parts of the strawberry plant, from fruit to leaves and stems.
4. Dogs: Dogs can pose a threat to strawberries and strawberry plants. Some dogs are attracted to the scent and taste of strawberries and may dig up plants or eat ripe berries. Puppies or younger dogs might also chew on the plants out of curiosity or as a way to alleviate teething discomfort.
5. Insects: Many different types of insects, including slugs, beetles, aphids, and spider mites, can damage strawberry plants by eating the leaves, fruit, or roots.
6. Rabbits: Rabbits are fond of eating the green parts of the strawberry plant. They may eat the leaves, stems, and roots if they can reach them.
7. Raccoons: Raccoons are attracted to sweet fruits like strawberries. They can damage plants while trying to reach the fruit.
8. Squirrels: These small mammals also enjoy the sweet taste of strawberries. They may also eat the leaves and stems.

How to Protect Strawberries From Animals

To protect your strawberry plants from these animals, consider one or more of the following strategies:

1. Netting: This can be a very effective way to protect your plants from birds and larger mammals. Make sure the netting is secure so that animals cannot lift it or crawl underneath it. (And see the precautionary note below).
2. Fencing: A fence around your garden can deter rabbits and deer.
   • Rabbits can dig, so your fence would need to be buried into the ground by a foot to prevent rabbits from digging under, or use this nifty animal barrier fence made just for purpose.
   • Deer can leap over most fences, so and your garden fence would need to be over 6′ high from ground level, to keep deer from jumping over it.
3. Garden cages: These can be used to protect individual plants or clusters of plants. They are typically used to protect against smaller animals that aren’t big enough to move the cage away.
4. Natural repellents: These can deter certain animals. For example, sprinkling blood meal or crushed eggshells around your plants can deter rabbits.
5. Pest control: For insects, consider using a safe insecticide or natural alternatives, such as neem oil or insecticidal soap. Introducing beneficial insects, like ladybugs or praying mantises, can also help control harmful pests.
6. Secure trash bins: If raccoons are a problem, make sure your trash bins are secure, as these can attract them to your yard where they might discover your strawberry plants.

A Precaution on Netting and Plastic Fencing

Get netting and fencing (if it’s the plastic kind) with the smallest grid to avoid the possibility of birds and other creatures getting caught up in it. We’ve rescued birds and snakes from the larger mesh and plastic fencing, so now we only use the smaller grids.

Also, remember that not all strategies will work for all animals, and it may take a combination of methods, i.e., Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to protect your plants effectively.

You may also enjoy our articles on how to keep squirrels, rabbits, and rodents out of the garden, and this one on organic pest control.