Ripe strawberries attract a surprising number of garden visitors. The damage they leave behind usually tells you who is responsible, and that tells you which protection will work.
Who is eating your strawberries?
| Animal | Typical signs |
|---|---|
| Birds | Small peck holes in ripe fruit, often on exposed berries |
| Squirrels and chipmunks | Fruit taken or partly eaten, sometimes left on a nearby wall or post |
| Slugs and snails | Ragged holes in low fruit, with silvery slime trails |
| Deer | Leaves and fruit pulled away, with hoof prints nearby |
| Rabbits | Cleanly clipped leaves and stems, with droppings nearby |
| Voles and mice | Gnawing low on the fruit, with small runways in straw mulch |
| Raccoons and groundhogs | Heavy damage, often overnight for raccoons and by day for groundhogs |
Other animals may also eat them, including box turtles in some regions. If you are not sure, a cheap trail camera can solve the mystery.
How to protect your plants
- Netting: stretch fine bird netting over hoops rather than resting it on the plants, and secure the edges. Check it daily, since birds and other animals can get tangled.
- Fencing: a low fence of fine mesh keeps out rabbits, and burying the bottom edge helps against digging. Deer need a much taller barrier.
- Slug control: water in the morning, remove hiding places, and raise fruit on straw. Hand-picking at dusk works well.
- Raised beds or hanging baskets: these keep fruit away from many ground animals.
- Hardware cloth cages: a covered frame is the most complete option for squirrels.
Harvest early and often
Pick berries as soon as they ripen, and clear away overripe or damaged fruit. Fallen fruit attracts pests, and a daily harvest gives them less to find.
Avoid harmful methods
Choose physical barriers before poisons, which can harm pets, wildlife and children. Check your local wildlife rules before trapping or relocating any animal.
Protecting your plants also means having the right tools. See our Garden guides and the Seasonal Home & Garden Planner.