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Animals eating stems, uprooting bulbs

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thieves in the night
by: Karen

So, it sounds like I may have two things going on. I have noticed over the last few years that I have less tulips in the flower bed. Planted them about 5 years ago. This year, looking out our window a few weeks ago I noticed several of the clumps of tulips chewed down to the ground level. Then yesterday upon further investigation discovered all kinds of shriveled bulbls lying on the ground in different areas. Looked like they are chewed almost down to the bulb itself and the bulb just left on the ground.
We live in Wisconsin. Also have had deer eating our cedar trees every winter. Very seldom get to see them though. Also our bird feeders can be emptied over night. Who or what is lurking in my backyard in the darkness of night. I will certainly try some of the remedies mentioned at this website.
Simple tricks to keeping your bulbs safe from pests
by: Anonymous

I discovered some easy, cheap, and painless ways to keep the squirrels out of my bulbs. Here in Colorado the squirrels grow as big as the raccoons (or so it seems). They have performed crazy stunts such as thieving my recycling bin, climbing a tree, and launching the stolen plastics at me, my dog, and even my neighbor. They'll even steal the lids from my carved pumpkins and drag them away to their nests.

Last year I lost all but two bulbs to my enemy squirrels. Over the summer I ran some tests on what they do and don't like and I have finally discovered the squirrel antidote.

This will work best if you have a pet that you groom or brush on a consistent basis. It is not, however, required.

Ingredients:
1. Cayenne Pepper (buy the largest one you can--Costco sometimes carries it very inexpensively)
2. Tabasco (again Costco size)
3. Pet hair (we use the "Furminator" when we brush our cat and dog and it really does the trick)

If your pest problem is minor, simply sprinkle a mound of cayenne pepper on top of each bulb after planting (usually in late fall depending where you live). Find a bunch of small sticks or stones and place one or the other on each spot where you planted your bulbs. This will help identify the exact location of your underground bulbs. Just as springs comes around sprinkle another mound on top of the bulb (before it pushes through) and remove your stone or stick marker.

I know this sounds strange, but I have even soaked the bulbs in Tabasco before planting. I think when the bulbs develop, they must have a different flavor because I have found that the squirrels won't go near the plant. This is a similar philosophy to adding soap shavings to the soil around your deer's favorite plants. It should not affect the integrity of the plant, but leaves a bad after taste for your pests.

Lastly, sprinkle your dog or cat's excess hair in with the soil or mulch over your plants. Squirrels, rats, even deer do not like the threatening smell of other pets and they will usually stay away. I am speaking on behalf of a short-haired dog owner. If your dog sheds tumble-weed sized hair balls, I don't recommend decorating the yard with these. Break them down and disguise them with the soil or mulch mixture.

I've met people who go as far as using human urine, old flat beer (from left over bottles and cans), and even water flavored from old cigarette butts and cigar stubs. Luckily I did not have to go this route, but I assume anything that leaves a strong scent of humans and other animals behind would work.

Good luck... and don't be afraid to experiment with your own witch-like concoction.


Rotting
by: Vuyiswa

But if you water bulbs heavily are they not going to rot.

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