Spanish Bluebells or Squill (Scilla) (Found In Unique Bulbs).Our top picks for bulbs that wildlife tend to avoid: Have you noticed that daffodils never seem to be bothered by pests? These bulbs, along with snowflakes and snowdrops, produce a bitter-tasting compound called lycorine which repels animals. Animals do not find all bulbs equally delicious. The best way to avoid problems with wildlife is to start by planting bulbs which are unfavorable to these critters. You just can’t win with them, but they are cute.Ĩ Ways to Critter-Proof Your Fall Bulb Plantings: Strategies That Work 1. These voracious eaters nibble on bulbs below ground and feed on tender shoots after they emerge. The Dreaded Groundhog: You will know if you have groundhogs thanks to the large piles of soil they create in the landscape.Deer tend to leave jagged tears in foliage where they nibble while rabbits cut stems at a clean angle using their powerful incisors. Look closely at the damage to determine which animal is active. Foliage and Flower Buds Are Eaten: Deer and rabbits can devour a bed of tulips overnight.If the soil is wet and heavy, that is the likely problem.
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Other rodents, however, will use their tunnels, which is why they are often blamed. Moles are often blamed, but these animals eat worms, grubs, and other insects. Voles, gophers, and mice are common burrowers that eat bulbs. In this case, something is attacking from below ground. Bulbs Never Emerge: Sometimes you plant a bulb and it simply never emerges.Footprints and chew marks are other clues you can use to identify the culprit. If a skunk is involved, you should be able to smell remnants of his or her odor. Bulbs Are Dug Out of the Soil: Squirrels commonly dig bulbs to eat, as do chipmunks, skunks, voles, raccoons, and rabbits.
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Look for these signs to identify the culprits: Each problem has its own unique solution. Perhaps your bulbs survive the winter only to be nibbled by deer. Experience will tell you whether your problem lies with squirrels and chipmunks digging up bulbs to munch, or voles and mice burring beneath the soil. Who can blame a hungry critter for seizing such an easy meal? Luckily, there are several tricks you can employ to prevent your bulb planting from becoming a wildlife buffet.Ĭritter-Proofing Fall Bulbs: Know Who You’re Dealing Withįirst, we'll help you identify which critters are eating your bulbs or flowers. Deer and rabbits relish the fresh greens that emerge in spring.
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Voles, mice, and other rodents can’t resist the plump, juicy bulbs we so conveniently tuck in the garden for them each fall. By Kimberly Toscano, gardening expert, landscape designer and writer.Īs much as we love a gorgeous display of flowering bulbs in spring, rodents, rabbits, and deer enjoy feasting on these ready-made meals.