Deer are one of nature’s annoying uninvited garden guests, it will munch almost anything they find in a garden.
But can deer eat strawberries? Yes, Deer can be a significant nuisance, damaging your beloved plants and flowers, including your strawberries.
If you’re a gardener who wants to protect your strawberries, then deterring deer from your garden should be a topic of concern. To do that, understanding deer’s habits is key.
And so keep reading as we delve into the truth about deer and strawberries, we shall provide you with insightful tips to keep your garden thriving.
Can Deer Eat Strawberries? Why And Why Not.
Deer has a diverse diet where vegetables and fruits are included. Strawberries are a particular favorite due to their sweet flavor.
It can be argued that strawberries are not deer’s primary source of food and deer’s consumption of it depends on circumstances.
But then it is key to know as a gardener that these plants, with their sweet and juicy berries, can be a tempting treat for deer, especially during the growing season.
Deer are opportunistic feeders and will sample a wide variety of plants, especially in areas where their natural food sources are limited.
Why Will Deer Eat Strawberries
Deer can eat strawberries based on some nutritional and situational factors as below:
- Natural Sugars: Ripped strawberries are very sweet, and deer naturally are attracted to sweet flavours because sweet food provides deer with a quick energy boost.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Strawberries contain vitamin C, antioxidants, and small amounts of nutrients that are essential for deer, this can attract deer and make them eat them.
- Hydration: Strawberries have high water content. And with this content, strawberries can help quench deer’s thirst during dry seasons.
- Seasonal basis: When other vegetation is less abundant, most especially, during late fall or winter, deer can easily venture into gardens for food and strawberries can be a target.
- Easy Access: Strawberries grown in open gardens without barriers can tempt and lure deer to consume them.
- Ripe Fruit Availability: Ripe strawberries have a good scent and bright colour which can draw deer, especially if they’re in close proximity to deer trails or habitats.
- Habitat Overlap: Gardens near wooded areas or fields frequented by deer are prone to experience strawberry theft.
Why Will Deer Not Eat Strawberries?
Although we answered “YES” to our question, can deer eat strawberries?. The circumstances below can still prevent deer from eating strawberries
1. The availability of Preferred Food Sources
Deer being opportunistic feeders have preference for more readily available and palatable plants. They will prefer tender grasses, clovers, or other fruit over strawberries. If these food sources are readily available, they may bypass strawberries altogether.
2. Unripe or Poor-Quality Strawberries
Deer are mostly attracted to ripped strawberries for their sweetness and fragrance, unripe strawberries lack the sweetness and fragrance that might attract deer.
Similarly, damaged or spoiled fruit may not appeal to them. And deer will turn away from such strawberries.
5.. Human or Pet Presence
Naturally, deer are cautious animals. Frequent human activity or the presence of pets in and around your garden can deter them from venturing close to nibble on strawberries.
5. Fencing or Other Physical Barriers
Deer will hardly access strawberries in gardens equipped with deer-proof fencing or netting. This will discourage them from attempting to eat them.
6. Seasonal Factors
During times when alternative vegetation is plentiful (like in spring or early summer), deer might prioritize other more easily accessible plants over strawberries.
Signs To Show That Deer Is Eating Your Strawberries
Are you suspecting that deer is feasting on your strawberries, after getting an answer to the question can deer eat strawberries? Find out with these 3 telltale signs.
- Hoofprints and Trails
- Hoof Marks: Deer leave behind distinctive, cloven-shaped hoofprints in soft soil or muddy areas around your garden which are typically heart-shaped and about 2 to 4 inches long.
If you notice these prints in the soil or mulch near your strawberry beds, it’s a strong indication that deer have been in the area.
- Paths or Trails: Over time, deer create worn paths as they travel to and from feeding spots, this will often lead directly to your strawberry beds.
2. Nibbled or Damaged Plants
- Cleanly Nibbled Leaves or Fruit: Deer tend to bite off If you see parts of your plants bitten in a neat, angular fashion then it’s suspected to be deer. They do that due to their lack of upper front teeth.
- Missing Strawberries: If you notice ripe or unripe strawberries consistently disappearing overnight, deer may be the culprits.
- Broken Stems or Trampled Plants: Deer can knock over or crush surrounding plants in their effort to reach the strawberries
3. Droppings Near Strawberry Beds
Another telltale sign of deer presence is their droppings
- Pellet-Shaped Droppings: Deer droppings are small, round, and pellet-like, often found in clusters near areas they frequent.
- Fresh Droppings: The presence of fresh droppings can indicate recent deer activity in your garden.
How to protect your strawberries from being eaten up by deer.
After getting an answer to our question, can deer eat strawberries? Which is a yes. It might sound like a challenge g as to how you can protect your strawberries from being eaten up by deer.
Here are some effective strategies to do that.
- Netting
This can be a very effective way to protect your plants from birds and larger mammals like deer. Make sure the netting is secure so that animals cannot lift it or crawl underneath it.
- Fencing
A fence around your garden can deter deer. Surround your strawberry pitch with a fence that is at least 8 feet tall, this can help to effectively keep deer out.
You can as well consider using woven wire or stock fencing, as deer are excellent jumpers.
For effective fencing knowledge, explore article; “All you need to know about deer jumping over a fence”
- Natural repellents
You can also protect your strawberries from being consumed by deer by planting strong-scented companion plants around their patch. You can plant, Garlic and Marigolds. The pungent smell of garlic is unappealing to deer and can easily prevent it from coming to your garden.
Marigolds on the other hand also emit a scent that repels deer.
- Strategic Garden Layout
- Hedge Rows and Shrubs: Plant dense hedges or thorny bushes around your strawberry patch. This makes it harder for deer to access the plants, while adding extra protection.
- Elevate Strawberry Beds: Raised beds or containers can make it more challenging for deer to reach your strawberries, especially if you add a protective barrier around them.
To end it all,
Can deer eat strawberries? Yes, deer can eat and enjoy strawberries. They are opportunistic feeders fondly fond of strawberries due to their sweetness, hydration benefits, and nutritional value. As much as these creatures have diverse diets and can challenge your strawberries and other fruits and vegetables, you can still protect your plants from them. The strategies can help you, using natural deterrents, such as strong-scented companion plants, as well as physical barriers like netting or fencing.
This will help your garden to flourish even amidst the challenges of wildlife intrusions.
You can read more on what animals eat strawberries and how to protect them.
