Who is eating my tulip bulbs?
by
Kj
+9
I brought back some fantastic tulip bulbs from Amsterdam, they lasted well in the brutal New England winter (2 blizzards, etc.). My 
frustration now is that SOMEONE is eating some of the tops of the leaves and the buds. Who is this dastardly critter
, and how can I make it stop!?!? Whomever it is has a preference for the fancier varieties, not the plain single colored ones. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
frustration now is that SOMEONE is eating some of the tops of the leaves and the buds. Who is this dastardly critter, and how can I make it stop!?!? Whomever it is has a preference for the fancier varieties, not the plain single colored ones. Any help would be greatly appreciated.Related Discussions
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Most likely rabbits and squirrels.Make a spray out of hot pepper and garlic,citrus essay oils and place citrus peals all around.
I second what Janet said to do this works well for a variety of critters and cinnamon sprinkled around also works and smells good. Good luck!!
As a fellow New Englander, I've had the same problem. Someone told me to sprinkle old fashioned scented baby powder around the bulb when you plant it and that works for me. I also sprinkle it on the soil a couple in the spring and fall.
Moles. Rabbits do not dig up bulbs.
I am going to give the baby powder a try. I am apprehensive about the hot pepper/garlic et al cocktail, I don't want to do any damage to my golden girl's nose! If that doesn't work, I'll go with the cinnamon. If that doesn't work, I will return with further requests for help.
Evelyn, I agree it is not the rabbits, they have been very sweet about avoiding the plants in the garden. I hadn't thought of moles/voles. I had actually thought maybe I had a skunk raid going on.
I'm sorry about your tulips! I love them myself, but plant mostly daffodils in the ground (they come in many varieties and shades) because moles, mice, voles and whatever other little burrowing animals you have in your area WILL NOT EAT DAFFODILS because the bulbs are poisionous to them. They LOVE tulips, which is why I plant them in raised beds behind the daffodils. The critters don't seem to bother burrowing into the raised bed.
If they are eating the tops like leaves and flower buds it is most likely a rabbit. Plus tulips only last a few years. Good luck!!
In my neck of the woods, it is squirrels. They feast on those bulbs. I sprinkle cayenne powder on the soil in the pots, but it has to be done frequently. Once the bulbs start sprouting, the tree rats leave them alone.
squirrels and deer will eat tulips; the squirrels eat the plants as they are coming up, then the deer eat the blooms
Great to know!Thank you!
Awesome info, thank you!