If you’ve ever planted cabbage, you’ve likely asked yourself what animals eat cabbage. It’s a frustrating question when you find your perfect heads chewed to bits overnight. This guide will help you identify the culprits and give you practical, proven methods to protect your crop.
Cabbage is a favorite for many creatures, both wild and domestic. From tiny insects to large mammals, a surprising range of animals see your garden as a salad bar. Knowing who is visiting is the first step to stopping them.
What Animals Eat Cabbage
Let’s break down the list of suspects. We’ll start with the smallest nibblers and work our way up to the biggest.
Insect Pests: The Tiny Munchers
These are often the first pests you’ll notice. They leave behind distinct signs.
* Cabbage Worms and Cabbage Loopers: These are the green caterpillars that blend in perfectly with leaves. They come from white butterflies or moths. You’ll see irregular holes in the leaves and lots of green frass (droppings).
* Aphids: Tiny, soft-bodied insects that cluster on the undersides of leaves. They suck sap, causing leaves to curl and yellow. They also secrete a sticky substance called honeydew.
* Flea Beetles: These tiny, jumping beetles create a “shot-hole” pattern on leaves, making them look like they’ve been peppered with tiny buckshot.
* Slugs and Snails: These are mollusks, not insects, but they cause similar damage. They feed at night, leaving large, ragged holes and silvery slime trails behind.
Birds: The Unexpected Visitors
Birds usually go for insects, but they can peck at cabbage too, especially seedlings.
* Sparrows and Finches: They might peck at young, tender leaves.
* Crows and Blackbirds: These larger birds can cause more significant damage, sometimes pulling up whole seedlings or tearing at mature heads.
Small Mammals: The Stealthy Raiders
This group does most of it’s damage under the cover of darkness.
* Rabbits: They are notorious for cleanly clipping off young plants at the base. They also eat the outer leaves of mature plants.
* Groundhogs (Woodchucks): These large rodents have a huge appetite. A single groundhog can decimate an entire row of cabbage in a short time, eating leaves and stems.
* Voles: These mouse-like rodents tunnel underground and may gnaw on roots or the base of the plant, causing it to wilt and die suddenly.
* Squirrels: While not their first choice, squirrels will sometimes dig near plants or take a bite out of a head, especially if other food is scarce.
Large Mammals: The Big Trouble
When these animals visit, the damage is usually extensive and immediate.
* Deer: They tear at plants, leaving ragged edges. They can eat a lot of foliage in one visit and often leave behind distinctive hoof prints.
* Raccoons: They are more likely to damage corn, but they will rip apart cabbage heads if curious or hungry. Their nimble paws can unwrap a head surprisingly well.
* Domestic Animals: Don’t forget about pets and livestock. Chickens, goats, and even dogs can trample or eat your cabbage if they get access to the garden.
How to Identify the Culprit
Look for these tell-tale signs right after you notice damage.
1. Check the Time: Most mammal damage happens at dawn, dusk, or overnight. Insect damage occurs continuously.
2. Examine the Damage:
* Large, ragged chunks missing? Think deer or groundhog.
* Clean-cut stems at a 45-degree angle? That’s a rabbit.
* Small, shot-like holes? Likely flea beetles.
* Slimy trails? You’ve got slugs or snails.
3. Look for Tracks: Soft soil around the garden can reveal footprints (deer hooves, raccoon paws) or wing marks from birds.
4. Inspect the Plant: Turn leaves over to look for insects or their eggs. Check the base for burrow holes (voles, groundhogs).
Building Your Defense: Prevention Strategies
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, especially in gardening. A layered approach works best.
Physical Barriers: The Most Effective Method
Nothing works better than putting a physical block between the pest and your plants.
* Fencing: This is the gold standard for mammals.
* For rabbits and groundhogs: Use 1-inch mesh chicken wire. Bury it at least 6 inches deep and angle it outward to stop diggers. The fence should be at least 3 feet tall for rabbits, and 4 feet tall for groundhogs (they can climb!).
* For deer: You need a taller fence, at least 8 feet high, or two parallel fences 3 feet apart.
* Row Covers: Lightweight fabric row covers are fantastic. They let in light and water but keep out insects, birds, and some small mammals. Secure the edges tightly with soil or pins.
* Collars: Make simple collars from cardboard or plastic cups with the bottoms cut out. Place them around young seedlings to protect stems from cutworms and nibblers.
Companion Planting & Natural Deterrents
Some plants and smells can confuse or repel pests.
* Strong-Smelling Companions: Plant herbs like thyme, dill, sage, and rosemary near your cabbage. Their strong scents can mask the smell of the cabbage.
Trap Cropping: Plant a sacrificial crop that pests like more than cabbage. For example, nasturtiums attract aphids away from your vegetables.
* Natural Repellents: Sprinkle cayenne pepper or make a garlic spray to deter mammals. Reapply after rain. Human or dog hair scattered around the garden can sometimes scare off deer and rabbits.
Encouraging Natural Predators
Invite the pest-eaters to your garden.
* For Insects: Plant flowers like marigolds, yarrow, and daisies to attract ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps that eat aphids and caterpillars.
* For Slugs: Encourage birds, toads, and ground beetles. A small toad house or a rock pile gives them a place to live.
* For Small Mammals: The presence of a dog or even its scent can deter rabbits and groundhogs.
Taking Action: Control and Removal
If pests are already present, here’s how to respond.
For Insect Pests
1. Hand-Picking: For caterpillars, slugs, and snails, go out in the early morning or evening and pick them off. Drop them into soapy water.
2. Sprays:
* Insecticidal Soap: Effective against soft-bodied insects like aphids. It must contact the pest directly.
* Neem Oil: A natural fungicide and insecticide that disrupts the life cycle of many pests.
* Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt): A natural bacteria that is toxic to caterpillars when they eat it. It’s very safe for other wildlife.
3. Diatomaceous Earth: A fine powder made from fossilized algae. It scratches the exoskeletons of insects, causing them to dehydrate. Sprinkle it around plants (reapply after rain). Wear a mask when applying.
For Mammals and Birds
* Motion-Activated Sprinklers: These are excellent for scaring deer, raccoons, and cats. The sudden burst of water startles them without causing harm.
* Ultrasonic Repellents: Emit a high-frequency sound that bothers small mammals. Their effectiveness can vary.
* Live Trapping: For persistent groundhogs or rabbits, live trapping may be necessary. Check your local wildlife regulations before attempting this, and always release the animal far away in a suitable habitat.
Creating a Resilient Garden
Healthy plants are more resistant to pest damage.
* Rotate Your Crops: Don’t plant cabbage or other brassicas (like broccoli, kale) in the same spot year after year. This breaks pest and disease cycles.
* Keep it Clean: Remove plant debris at the end of the season where pests can overwinter.
* Test Your Soil: Healthy soil grows strong plants. Ensure your soil has the right pH and nutrients for cabbage.
* Water Properly: Water at the base of the plant, not the leaves, to prevent fungal diseases that can weaken your crop.
Protecting your cabbage is an ongoing process. You’ll need to stay vigilant and often combine several methods. The good news is that with patience and the right tactics, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest.
FAQ: Your Cabbage Pest Questions Answered
Q: What is eating my cabbage at night?
A: The most common nighttime feeders are slugs, snails, rabbits, groundhogs, deer, and raccoons. Look for slime trails, specific bite marks, or tracks to identify which one.
Q: How do I keep rabbits from eating my cabbage?
A: A physical fence is the most reliable method. Use 1-inch mesh wire, buried 6 inches deep and at least 3 feet tall. You can also try natural repellents like blood meal or a spray of garlic and hot pepper.
Q: Do coffee grounds keep pests away from cabbage?
A: Coffee grounds can deter slugs and snails due to their texture. They may also help repel cats and rabbits. However, they are not a complete solution and should be used with other methods.
Q: What can I plant with cabbage to keep bugs away?
A: Strong-scented herbs are great companions. Try planting mint, rosemary, sage, or thyme nearby. Aromatic flowers like marigolds and nasturtiums can also help repel some insects and attract beneficial ones.
Q: Will vinegar spray keep animals off my cabbage?
A: A vinegar spray can deter some mammals due to its strong smell, but it must be reapplied frequently, especially after rain. Be careful not to spray it directly on your plants in strong concentration, as it can harm the leaves.
Q: Why are there holes in my cabbage leaves?
A: Holes are usually caused by insects. Small, shotgun-like holes are from flea beetles. Larger, irregular holes are from cabbage worms or loopers. Very large, ragged holes point to slugs, snails, or larger animals like deer.
Remember, every garden is unique. You might have a rabbit problem while your neighbor deals with deer. Take notes on what works for you, and don’t get discouraged. With these strategies, you’re well on your way to growing beautiful, healthy cabbage for yourself, and not for the local wildlife.