There are many animals that enjoy eating hibiscus flowers, including deer, rabbits, groundhogs, and squirrels. The petals of the flower are especially tasty to these creatures. While hibiscus flowers may not be the mainstay of any animal’s diet, they certainly provide a nice treat on occasion!
Hibiscus flowers are a popular food source for many animals. Birds, bees, butterflies, and even some mammals enjoy feasting on these vibrant blooms. While hibiscus flowers are not poisonous to animals, they can be harmful if consumed in large quantities.
If you have a hibiscus plant in your yard, it’s important to keep an eye on any animal visitors to make sure they’re not eating too much of the flower.
Credit: squirrelenthusiast.com
Contents
What is Eating My Hibiscus Blooms?
If you have been noticing that your hibiscus blooms are disappearing, there is a chance that you have an unwelcome visitor in your garden. A number of different creatures may be eating your hibiscus blooms, including: deer, rabbits, slugs, snails, or caterpillars. Each of these animals has their own set of preferences when it comes to plants, so you will need to do a little detective work to figure out which one is responsible for eating your hibiscus blooms.
Deer are the most likely culprit if you live in an area where they roam freely. These gentle giants love to munch on just about anything green, and hibiscus blossoms are no exception. If you think deer may be the cause of your missing blooms, look for telltale signs like hoof prints or chewing damage on the leaves and stems of your plants.
The best way to keep deer out of your garden is to erect a fence around it; this will also protect other delicate plants from becoming lunchtime snacks.
Rabbits are another common garden pest that enjoys nibbling on hibiscus flowers. These furry critters are particularly active at night, so you may not even realize they’re there until you find evidence of their handiwork in the morning.
Chewed-up flower petals and leaves are a sure sign that rabbits have been paying a visit to your garden. To keep them out, consider installing a rabbit-proof fence or using repellents designed specifically for rabbits (available at most hardware stores).
These creatures are most active at night or during periods of high humidity, so they can be difficult to spot unless you’re specifically looking for them.
Do Rabbits Eat Hibiscus Flowers?
Yes, rabbits can eat hibiscus flowers. While the flower is not toxic to rabbits, it is not necessarily good for them either. Hibiscus flowers are high in sugar and can cause gastrointestinal upset in rabbits if they eat too much of it.
It is best to feed your rabbit hibiscus flowers in moderation.
Do Squirrels Eat Hibiscus Blooms?
No, squirrels do not eat hibiscus blooms. While they will nibble on the occasional flower, their diet consists mostly of nuts and seeds.
Do Deer Or Rabbits Eat Hibiscus?
No, deer and rabbits do not eat hibiscus.
What is Eating My Hibiscus Flowers at Night
Hibiscus flowers are beautiful, delicate blooms that add a touch of elegance to any garden. Unfortunately, these flowers are often the target of night-feeding pests. If you’ve noticed your hibiscus flowers being eaten at night, there’s a good chance that slugs or snails are to blame.
Slugs and snails are both common garden pests that feed on a variety of plants, including hibiscus flowers. These slimy creatures typically come out at night when it’s cool and damp outside, which makes them hard to spot. However, there are a few telltale signs that they’ve been munching on your hibiscus flowers.
If you find small holes in the petals of your hibiscus flowers, or if the edges of the petals look ragged and chewed, it’s likely that slugs or snails have been feeding on them. You may also see slime trails around the base of the plant or on the leaves.
While these pests can be frustrating, there are a few things you can do to deter them from eating your hibiscus flowers.
First, try setting out traps baited with beer near where your plants are located. Slugs and snails are attracted to the yeast in beer, so this can be an effective way to lure them away from your plants. You can also sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the base of your hibiscus plants.
This powder is made from fossilized algae and is sharp enough to cut through slug and snail bodies, killing them instantly. Finally, hand-picking these pests off of your plants is also an option (although it may not be the most pleasant).
Conclusion
Hibiscus flowers are a food source for many animals, including bees, butterflies, and moths. Birds also enjoy hibiscus flowers and their nectar. Some of the animals that eat hibiscus flowers include: hummingbirds, finches, sparrows, orioles, and grosbeaks.