Do Chipmunks Eat Lavender

Chipmunks do eat lavender, but it’s not their first choice when other tasty options are around.
 
These little foragers are opportunistic feeders, and while they’ll nibble on lavender, they usually prefer sweeter or more nutrient-rich plants.
 
If you’ve been noticing bite marks on your lavender and wondering if chipmunks are the culprits, you’re likely on the right track.
 
In this post, we’ll dig into why chipmunks may eat lavender, what parts of the plant they target, and how to keep your lavender safe.
 
Let’s get to it.

Why Chipmunks Eat Lavender (And When They Do)

Chipmunks eat lavender when food is scarce or when the plant is young and tender.
 
While lavender’s strong scent and essential oils usually deter many pests, chipmunks aren’t easily put off by aroma alone.
 
Here’s a closer look at the reasons behind this behavior.

1. Chipmunks Are Curious, Opportunistic Eaters

Chipmunks eat lavender because they’ll try almost anything once, especially if they’re hungry.
 
These rodents aren’t picky, and their diet includes seeds, berries, insects, and yes, garden plants.
 
When chipmunks eat lavender, it’s often because they’ve exhausted nearby food sources and are testing new greenery.
 
So, even though lavender isn’t their favorite feast, it can still fall victim to their foraging.

2. Young Lavender Shoots Are the Most Vulnerable

Chipmunks eat lavender most readily when the plant is freshly sprouted or has new soft growth.
 
Tender young leaves and stems are much easier to chew and digest than woody, mature lavender.
 
Older lavender plants with tougher foliage and stronger oil content are less likely to be targeted.
 
But if you have new lavender seedlings or just pruned plants pushing out fresh shoots, chipmunks might snack on those bits.

3. The Seeds of Lavender Are a Hidden Treat

Chipmunks eat lavender seeds too, and this is often the real draw for them.
 
After lavender flowers fade, they produce small seed heads, and those seeds are packed with fats and proteins.
 
Chipmunks are excellent at finding seeds, and they’ll happily chew through the dried flower stems to get them.
 
So, if your lavender is left to go to seed, you’ll likely see more chipmunk activity around it.

How to Tell If Chipmunks Are Eating Your Lavender

Figuring out if chipmunks eat lavender in your yard means looking for specific signs.
 
Other critters like rabbits or deer also browse on plants, so you’ll need to play detective.

1. Look for Clean, Sharp Cuts on Stems

Chipmunks have sharp incisors that make neat, angled cuts on stems and leaves.
 
Rabbits leave ragged, torn edges because they pull at the foliage with their front teeth.
 
And deer typically leave behind shredded growth with no clean cuts at all.
 
If you see precise snips on your lavender shoots, chipmunks are likely the snackers.

2. Check for Tiny Footprints and Burrow Holes

Chipmunks eat lavender near their burrows, so look for small tunnels in your garden beds.
 
Their footprints are tiny, about half an inch long, with four toes on the front feet and five on the back.
 
You might also spot small piles of discarded lavender leaves near their entry points.
 
These clues can help confirm that chipmunks, and not another pest, are responsible for the damage.

3. Observe Their Activity at Dusk and Dawn

Chipmunks are most active in the early morning and late afternoon.
 
If you sit quietly near your lavender during those times, you might actually catch them in the act.
 
They’ll stuff their cheeks with seeds or nip off small pieces of lavender to carry back to their tunnels.
 
Watching their behavior is the most reliable way to know if chipmunks eat lavender in your garden.

Ways to Stop Chipmunks From Eating Lavender

Now that you know chipmunks eat lavender under certain conditions, let’s talk about protecting your plants.
 
You have several effective options that don’t require harming these little critters.

1. Use Physical Barriers Around Young Plants

The simplest way to stop chipmunks from eating lavender is to block their access.
 
Surround young lavender with a wire mesh cage or use hardware cloth secured with garden staples.
 
Keep the barrier buried a few inches into the soil so chipmunks can’t dig underneath it.
 
Once your lavender matures and becomes woody, you can remove the protection.

2. Remove Lavender Seed Heads Promptly

Because chipmunks eat lavender seeds, you should deadhead spent flowers regularly.
 
Cut the flower stems back as soon as the blooms fade, before they form seeds.
 
This removes the most attractive part of the plant for chipmunks.
 
Plus, deadheading encourages more blooms, so your lavender stays beautiful all season.

3. Try Natural Deterrents Like Predator Urine

You can make chipmunks avoid your lavender by using predator urine granules or sprays.
 
Fox or coyote urine signals danger, and chipmunks will steer clear of treated areas.
 
Reapply after rain or heavy dew, as the scent fades over time.
 
This is a humane way to say “stay away” without causing any harm.

4. Maintain a Tidy Garden With Less Cover

Chipmunks feel safe when they have places to hide near their food sources.
 
Keep the area around your lavender free of tall grass, rock piles, and dense ground cover.
 
These spots give chipmunks cover from predators while they munch on your plants.
 
The more exposed the area is, the less likely chipmunks will eat lavender there.

So, Do Chipmunks Eat Lavender?

Chipmunks do eat lavender, but only when they’re hungry and the plant is easy to chew.
 
They’ll nibble on young shoots, munch on tender leaves, and happily harvest the seeds.
 
That said, mature lavender with strong essential oils tends to be ignored by chipmunks.
 
The damage they cause is usually minimal compared to other garden pests like rabbits.
 
If you’re worried about them, just use a few of the protective strategies mentioned above.
 
With a little effort, you can keep your lavender thriving and chipmunks eating elsewhere.
 
Hope this clears up whether chipmunks eat lavender and what you can do about it!