Thank you all for your suggestions. No there are no slime trails and no sign of a mouse or droppings. As I don't sleep too well my OH has suggested that I take a look in the conservatory in the middle of the night and see whats going on. Brrr a bit cold in the conservatory at night but I may just do that. In the meantime my cards and presents are in a plastic box in the house instead of being artfully placed around a real Christmas tree. Perhaps a plastic one will do next year!
Oh maybe hazel ?. Would be good to clarify what is doing it by catching the wee monkeys in the act lol. As shown above, it could be quite a few things ??
You could try and leave a potato tucked away somewhere in that area. If it is mice, they won't touch it for a while as they are suspicious initially, but if after several days you see a nibble, then you'll know.
I also thought maybe slugs/snails, but the damage on the cards seems dry and I would have thought that the slime would still be apparent in some way.
An early Christmas Whodoneit
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
If it's slugs, you'll definitely catch them at it if you do a late night visit. Mice will hear you coming though, so other methods needed to confirm their presence.
A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
I've removed all chocolate gifts so what will go for next? I would have thought mice would go for cushions etc to make a nice nest. Unless theyv'e made a hole somewhere it's definitely not mice. If I ever discover who the culprits are I'll let all you kind folk know! I have left some slug pellets in the bucket as suggested by Nut. Watch this space!
Aym my tree has been in its pot since last year so whatever is in the pot has come from my garden. I am wondering if there are mites somewhere around. I don't think I will bother with it next year as it is proving to be a menace. I certainly think twice about bringing that one In!
Aym your Korean Fir seeds sowing sounds fun and decorating a tree in the garden sounds good, a lot better I'd say than bringing it indoors! Good luck with your seeds and a pic would be nice if you can get them to germinate.
I too have had a terrible time with slugs eating everything I try to produce. I try to be 'green' and not use chemicals which will harm wild life but sometimes I despair. Anyway slugs are not causing my Christmas card dilemma as I did put slug pellets in the pot of my tree but nothing has appeared. Oh dear the mystery goes on. I've brought all the Christmas goodies inside and the damage hasn't yet got any worse. Never mind it will give everyone a laugh on The Day!
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Thank you all for your suggestions. No there are no slime trails and no sign of a mouse or droppings. As I don't sleep too well my OH has suggested that I take a look in the conservatory in the middle of the night and see whats going on. Brrr a bit cold in the conservatory at night but I may just do that. In the meantime my cards and presents are in a plastic box in the house instead of being artfully placed around a real Christmas tree. Perhaps a plastic one will do next year!
Oh maybe hazel ?. Would be good to clarify what is doing it by catching the wee monkeys in the act lol. As shown above, it could be quite a few things ??
You could try and leave a potato tucked away somewhere in that area.
If it is mice, they won't touch it for a while as they are suspicious initially, but if after several days you see a nibble, then you'll know.
I also thought maybe slugs/snails, but the damage on the cards seems dry and I would have thought that the slime would still be apparent in some way.
An early Christmas Whodoneit
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Colonel Mustard in the library with a candlestick
If it's slugs, you'll definitely catch them at it if you do a late night visit. Mice will hear you coming though, so other methods needed to confirm their presence.
I've removed all chocolate gifts so what will go for next? I would have thought mice would go for cushions etc to make a nice nest. Unless theyv'e made a hole somewhere it's definitely not mice. If I ever discover who the culprits are I'll let all you kind folk know! I have left some slug pellets in the bucket as suggested by Nut. Watch this space!
Aym my tree has been in its pot since last year so whatever is in the pot has come from my garden. I am wondering if there are mites somewhere around. I don't think I will bother with it next year as it is proving to be a menace. I certainly think twice about bringing that one In!
Aym your Korean Fir seeds sowing sounds fun and decorating a tree in the garden sounds good, a lot better I'd say than bringing it indoors! Good luck with your seeds and a pic would be nice if you can get them to germinate.
I too have had a terrible time with slugs eating everything I try to produce. I try to be 'green' and not use chemicals which will harm wild life but sometimes I despair. Anyway slugs are not causing my Christmas card dilemma as I did put slug pellets in the pot of my tree but nothing has appeared. Oh dear the mystery goes on. I've brought all the Christmas goodies inside and the damage hasn't yet got any worse. Never mind it will give everyone a laugh on The Day!