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Bulb Eating

free.dfree.d Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Something has dug up my tulips eaten the bulbs and left the flower and leaves.  Has never happened before and it’s only the new bulbs planted last autumn.  Any ideas?
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  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    Hello and welcome.
    No we haven't had the same but our first broad bean seedlings planted out had the stems left on the side and the last part of the seed gone.
    Decided it was mice as the top plants weren't taken.
    Could this be the same with you?
  • TackTack Posts: 1,367
    In our garden it is squirrels that do this, but usually once the bulbs have sprouted they are safe. I put chicken wire over them because I do lose them otherwise.  I've read that mice and rats eat them too.
  • FritillariaScotlandFritillariaScotland Posts: 67
    I used to have this problem in my old garden, whenever I planted any bulbs, half of them would disappear - eaten by squirrels. I was a very beginner gardener at the time, so the only practical solution I could think of was to stop planting bulbs  😂 Looking back, chicken wire would have made more sense 😆
  • jeanettehooper1jeanettehooper1 Posts: 2
    Hi two pots with tulips over 3 days something dug out tulip bulbs from the one pot left the leaves. 1st time tied wire over top but knocked it off now have a brick on top
    We have seen a squirrel looks into our bedroom have had rats and mice in the garden(treated by rentokil) also crows nesting in Ivy would they do it, really upset 1st time tulips in pots
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Netting or chicken wire will keep squirrels out, but it needs to be well secured. They're by far the most likely culprits. 
    Mice tend to eat smaller things- bean and peas when still seed. Including sweet pea seeds.
    Crows wouldn't bother them. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I agree that it’s most likely to be the squirrels. 

    Are you sure that it’s crows nesting in your ivy? Is the Ivy in a tall tree?  They usually nest high up in treetops or on cliffs. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - they [crows] have huge nests here in the pines. It won't be any of the rook/crow family unless the ivy's in a tree. 
    The jackdaws use soffits in houses too. They're very acrobatic.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I agree @Fairygirl … more likely to be chattering jacks …they best in MIL’s chimney…  but I’ve never heard of them digging up bulbs … 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • muckyhandsmikemuckyhandsmike Posts: 239
    This year I think I’ve lost some bulbs to squirrels but also had some tulips damaged when they’ve appeared, the leaves having been shredded by pigeons/doves I suspect.
    Damned annoying when there is a constant source of seed on my bird feeding stand !
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    muckyhandsmike said:
    Th.... the leaves having been shredded by pigeons/doves ...
    It wasn't me ... honest Mister 🕊

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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