Do Squirrels Like Lavender

Squirrels do like lavender, and it’s generally safe for them to nibble on in small amounts.
 
If you’ve been wondering “do squirrels like lavender?” the short answer is yes, though their relationship with this fragrant herb is a bit more complicated than you might expect.
 
Lavender isn’t a food source squirrels actively seek out, but they will occasionally sample it, especially when other food is scarce.
 
In this post, we’ll explore why squirrels like lavender, how they interact with it, and whether you should worry about them destroying your lavender plants.
 
Let’s dig into the fascinating relationship between squirrels and lavender.
 

Why Squirrels Like Lavender

Squirrels like lavender for several surprising reasons, and understanding these can help you figure out what’s really going on in your garden.
 

1. The Scent Attracts Them

Squirrels have an incredibly keen sense of smell, and lavender’s strong fragrance is hard for them to ignore.
 
While humans find the scent calming and pleasant, squirrels are simply curious about any strong odor in their territory.
 
That curiosity often leads them to investigate lavender plants, sniffing and nibbling to figure out what all the fuss is about.
 

2. They’re Opportunistic Eaters

Squirrels are opportunistic feeders, which means they’ll try just about anything that looks remotely edible.
 
If squirrels like lavender, it’s mostly because they’re willing to sample new plants when their usual food sources run low.
 
During late winter or early spring when nuts and seeds are scarce, squirrels may turn to lavender buds and leaves as a backup snack.
 

3. Lavender Buds Resemble Seeds

The tiny buds and seed-like structures on lavender plants can look appealing to a hungry squirrel.
 
Squirrels are wired to grab anything small and seed-shaped, so they’ll often nibble on lavender buds thinking they’ve found a treat.
 
This is one of the main reasons squirrels like lavender, even though the plant doesn’t offer much nutritional value for them.
 

4. The Plant Isn’t Toxic to Them

Unlike many ornamental plants, lavender isn’t toxic to squirrels, so they can safely munch on it without getting sick.
 
That means when squirrels like lavender, there’s no natural deterrent stopping them from coming back for more.
 
If lavender were poisonous, squirrels would quickly learn to avoid it, but since it’s harmless, they treat it as fair game.
 

Do Squirrels Like Lavender More Than Other Plants?

Squirrels like lavender but usually not as much as they like tulip bulbs, sunflower seeds, or young vegetable shoots.
 

1. Lavender Isn’t a Top Priority Food

If given the choice, squirrels will almost always pick calorie-dense foods like nuts, acorns, and seeds over lavender.
 
Lavender simply doesn’t provide the fat and protein squirrels need to survive, so it’s more of a curiosity snack than a staple.
 

2. They Prefer Young, Tender Growth

When squirrels do eat lavender, they tend to go for the soft new shoots and flower buds rather than the tough woody stems.
 
This is why you might notice damage on the tips of your lavender plants while the rest stays untouched.
 

3. Damage Is Usually Minor

Even though squirrels like lavender enough to nibble on it, the damage they cause is typically small and rarely kills the plant.
 
Lavender is a resilient herb, and a little nibbling here and there won’t stop it from thriving.
 

How to Keep Squirrels Away From Lavender

If you’d rather keep squirrels away from your lavender, there are a few simple strategies you can try.
 

1. Use Physical Barriers

Place netting or mesh cloches over your lavender plants to stop squirrels from reaching them in the first place.
 

2. Plant Lavender Near Stronger Smells

Squirrels dislike the scent of garlic, onions, and mint, so planting these nearby can help mask the lavender’s appeal.
 

3. Offer Alternative Food Sources

Set up a feeding station with nuts and seeds far from your lavender bed to give squirrels something better to munch on.
 

So, Do Squirrels Like Lavender?

Squirrels like lavender, but not in the way you might think.
 
They’re not obsessed with it, and it’s not their favorite food, but they will nibble on it out of curiosity or when other options are scarce.
 
Since lavender isn’t toxic to squirrels, there’s no harm in letting them sample it occasionally.
 
And if you want to protect your plants, simple barriers and alternative food sources will do the trick.
 
Now you know that squirrels like lavender, at least enough to give it a try when they wander through your garden.