Do Squirrels Like Lavender

Squirrels do like lavender, but not in the way you might expect.
 
They aren’t drawn to it as a food source the way they are to sunflower seeds or nuts.
 
Instead, squirrels like lavender for its scent, its texture, and the safe cover it provides.
 
If you’ve been asking yourself “do squirrels like lavender?” while watching them dig around your garden, you’re in the right place.
 
In this post, we’ll explore whether squirrels like lavender, why they’re attracted to it, and how to use that knowledge to your advantage.
 

Do Squirrels Like Lavender? Here’s the Real Answer

Yes, squirrels do like lavender, though their interest is mostly curiosity and comfort rather than hunger.
 
Squirrels like lavender because it offers a safe, fragrant hiding spot where they can rest, stash food, or escape predators.
 
That said, the relationship between squirrels and lavender is complicated, and it depends on what the squirrel needs at that moment.
 

1. Squirrels Aren’t Eating Your Lavender

The biggest myth about squirrels and lavender is that they devour the plant like a tasty snack.
 
In reality, squirrels rarely eat lavender because the plant contains oils like linalool and camphor that taste bitter to them.
 
So when you notice squirrels hanging around your lavender, they’re probably not munching on the leaves.
 
They’re likely digging near the roots, sniffing the flowers, or using the plant as a hideout.
 

2. The Scent Draws Them In

Squirrels have an incredible sense of smell, and lavender’s strong fragrance is hard for them to ignore.
 
While humans find the scent calming, squirrels experience it as a strong signal that something interesting is nearby.
 
That’s one reason squirrels like lavender enough to investigate it again and again.
 
The scent also masks their own odor, which helps them stay hidden from hawks, owls, and neighborhood cats.
 

3. Lavender Offers Great Cover

A mature lavender bush grows dense and bushy, making it an ideal shelter for small animals.
 
Squirrels like lavender because its thick stems and silvery foliage create a natural hiding place.
 
They can duck inside, stay cool on hot days, and peek out without being seen.
 
If you’ve ever spotted a squirrel darting out of your lavender, that’s exactly why it was there.
 

4. It’s a Safe Place to Bury Food

Squirrels are famous for burying nuts and seeds, and lavender beds make perfect storage spots.
 
The loose soil around lavender roots is easy to dig, and the strong scent helps squirrels find their stash later.
 
So while squirrels don’t like lavender as food, they do like lavender as a pantry.
 
This is why you might find small holes around your plants even though the leaves are untouched.
 

Why Squirrels Like Lavender More Than Other Plants

Not every plant gets this kind of attention from squirrels, so what makes lavender special?
 
Several features work together to make lavender irresistible to these bushy-tailed visitors.
 

1. Dense Growth Provides Security

Lavender grows in tight clumps that feel safe to a squirrel.
 
Predators have a hard time reaching inside, and the plant’s woody base gives squirrels something to climb.
 
That combination of shelter and structure is a big reason squirrels like lavender so much.
 

2. The Aroma Overpowers Predators

Strong-smelling plants like lavender help mask a squirrel’s natural scent.
 
By hanging around lavender, squirrels reduce the chance that a predator will sniff them out.
 
It’s a clever survival trick, and it explains why squirrels like lavender even when they aren’t hungry.
 

3. It Attracts Pollinators and Other Insects

Lavender draws bees, butterflies, and other insects, which squirrels sometimes snack on.
 
So even though squirrels don’t eat lavender itself, they like lavender for the tiny protein-packed bugs it brings.
 
This indirect food source keeps squirrels coming back to your garden again and again.
 

4. Lavender Thrives in Sunny Spots

Lavender loves full sun, and so do squirrels.
 
Both prefer warm, open areas, which means they naturally end up in the same parts of your yard.
 
That shared love of sunshine is another simple reason squirrels like lavender.
 

Does Lavender Keep Squirrels Away?

Here’s where things get interesting because some gardeners swear lavender repels squirrels.
 
The truth is that lavender doesn’t reliably keep squirrels away, and in some yards it actually attracts them.
 
If your goal is to protect bulbs or vegetables, don’t count on lavender alone as a deterrent.
 
That said, lavender does repel certain pests like moths and mosquitoes, so it’s still a smart plant to grow.
 
And if you enjoy watching squirrels, lavender gives you a front-row seat to their antics.
 

So, Do Squirrels Like Lavender?

Squirrels do like lavender, though mostly for its scent, shelter, and safety rather than its taste.
 
They aren’t eating your plants the way they eat tulip bulbs or birdseed.
 
Instead, squirrels like lavender because it gives them cover, a place to stash food, and a scent that hides them from predators.
 
So the next time you see a squirrel rustling through your lavender, you’ll know exactly what it’s up to.
 
And honestly, it’s hard to blame them for enjoying such a lovely plant.