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Slugs or mice!

holeinone2012holeinone2012 Posts: 4
in Problem solving
My Iris Pauline, which popped there heads up around the New Year, have been apparently bitten off just below ground level, is it slugs or mice, (there are numerous holes around the garden)? I can't see any signs of slugs even though I have since put slug pellets down and roughed up the surface around the remaining shoots; no slimy trails etc. also an early hyacinth has been similarly damaged. 

Posts

  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    It's difficult to know but slugs are always a contender. Slug pellets may not help in this cold weather, the slugs will not explore very far if they are already enjoying your iris. One way to get more information is to take a torch out after dark and have a good look round the stems.
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    Do you have squirrels? They can be a nuisance with crocuses.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    What do you mean by 'holes'?
    Slugs don't generally affect Irises, even the small ones. I've never had them affected, and we have huge amounts of slugs here, but if they were already showing at New Year, it does suggest that it's mild where you are, and slugs will certainly be around. More severs cold keeps them out the way.
    I would doubt it's mice .  
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • holeinone2012holeinone2012 Posts: 4
    Thanks for the suggestions. I haven’t seen a squirrel in ages. The holes are made by voles and mice of which I know that there are usually plenty in the garden! 
    All of the stems were bitten off below the surface and the problem only became apparent when they seemed to lose vitality and I touched them and realised they were loose below the surface. 
    I’ll try the torch after dark when we have the next mild night. Thanks again.
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    My guess is voles.  They do the same with my carrots and other root veg.  One day the plant leaves become limp, only for me to pull it up to find the bottom majority chewed away.  I expect they might enjoy a fat juicy bulb this time of year.  
    Utah, USA.
  • holeinone2012holeinone2012 Posts: 4
    Sounds possible, thanks, unfortunately, I like to see the wildlife in the garden so I guess I'll have to put up with it. I suppose I could plant a few carrots to see if they would prefer those to my irises!
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    You could always plant your irises in sunken pots to protect them from voles tunnelling from below.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • holeinone2012holeinone2012 Posts: 4
    sounds good, thanks 
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