If you’re adding begonias to your garden, do deer eat them? The solution to this question will go a long way toward ensuring that the flowers you plant have the best chance of survival. We’ve done the legwork so you don’t have to.
Although begonias are not a deer’s first food choice, they may eat them if they are mobile or desperate enough. To protect your begonias from deer, it is best to use multiple methods including:
- Repellent
- Fencing
- Filling your garden with flowers and bushes that deer do not like to eat
- Planting your begonias close to your house
Deer are not the only animal that might harm your begonias, however. Continue reading to learn about other animals and how to defend your blooms against them as well.
Begonias Are Not a Deer’s Favorite Food
Although deer typically do not target begonias as their preferred meal, they will consume them if necessary. This is true of any plant; there is no such thing as a deer-proof flower. However, while begonias are resistant to being eaten by deer, they are not guaranteed to escape Deer’s appetite altogether.
Protecting Your Begonias From Deer
How can you protect your begonias from deer if they show up in your yard, since you can’t stop them from eating them?
Deer Repellant
Deer repellent is a good place to start. There are several choices for purchasing it online, or you may make your own. Whatever you decide, keep in mind that they must be reapplied on a regular basis. They can be washed clean with rain and do not have an unending shelf life.
Fencing
Another option to protect your begonias from deer is to install a deer fence around them. Deer are excellent jumpers and can reach heights of up to 8 feet; thus, a meal is an excellent motivation! However, the major disadvantage of fences is that people will be unable to view the plants you have planted easily.
Other Plants and Flowers That Deer Do Not Like
Deer don’t like the scent of begonia flowers, so surrounding them with plants and blooms that they dislike is a simple way to safeguard them. Poppies, daffodils, and other such flowers are examples. Making your garden as unattractive as possible can help deter deer from ever visiting it. Deer are more inclined to avoid an area if it contains blossoms that they aren’t interested in eating.
Plant Close to Home
Last, position your begonias in close proximity to your home. By doing so, you increase the chances of spotting deer activity and being able to scare them away. Additionally, if you have a dog, their barking will likely also scare off any approaching animals.
Using more than one of these methods may improve the chances of success. Changing your tactics on a regular basis will also aid you in keeping deer at bay. Over time, deer gets braver, and being able to keep them off-balance is yet another approach to safeguard your begonias.
Do Rabbits Eat Begonias? [And How To Prevent This]
Deer are not the only animals that may consume begonias. Rabbits, like deer, will consume them as well, although they are not actively seeking them out. Wax begonias, in particular, do not appear to be a favorite meal of rabbits. However, just as some people have different diets because they vary in taste preferences and allergies , certain rabbits will eat begonias.
The measures to keep your begonias from rabbits are comparable to those used to keep them away from deer. Planting begonias among other flowers that rabbits dislike eating is an effective method of preventing the pests from consuming them.
Along with planting begonias, which rabbits don’t like, you can try to keep space between your other plants as well. Since rabbits are prey animals, they’re always cautious. If a garden has its flowers and plants spread out with little room in between them, it limits the amount of cover available to the rabbit, so they won’t enter.
If you do choose fencing, make sure it’s not chain link or picket, as rabbits can fit through small spaces in those. Instead, go for a wire or mesh fence that will block them. Keep in mind though that this won’t be the most attractive option.
A cat or dog may also be an efficient way to safeguard your begonias. In the worst-case scenario, a cat or dog can drive away a rabbit. Your dog or cat may capture the rabbit and solve the problem for you in some circumstances.
Finally, repellent may be used as a remedy. Remember to reapply with regularity to get the best results with this product; it is effective for repelling rodents as well. You will not notice as much of a difference if you do not apply it on a regular basis.
What Other Animals Eat Begonias? [And How To Prevent This]
Deer and rabbits will consume begonias (though not their first choice), so now we need to know what else may eat them. The major hazard to begonias isn’t large animals, but rather tiny ones – mostly insects. These little creatures have the ability to cause a lot of damage.
Aphids are one of the begonia’s most serious threats. These insects vector stem and leaf eating, which has the potential to ruin begonias if not dealt with properly. The good news is that regular watering can aid in the removal of aphids. Using an insecticidal soap is also a good idea if there are a lot of them feeding on your plants.
Begonias are also eaten by snails and slugs. Snails and slugs will generally feed at night. They will leave evidence of their presence on the plant’s leaves. Slug and snail bait can help you get rid of these pests.
Some other insects and pests that eat begonias are whiteflies, mealybugs, caterpillars, and earwigs. Most of these insects can easily be controlled with the same type of insecticidal soap usually used against aphids. Caterpillars can also just be removed by hand and placed away from your flowers. You can use the same bait for earwigs as you would for snails and slugs too.
What We Have Learned
While it may take some extra effort to keep deer and other animals away from your begonias, these stunning flowers are definitely worth protecting. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about keeping begonias safe from hungry critters. By the time you’re done reading, we hope you feel more confident and equipped to defend your beloved plants.