Bulbs That Squirrels Don't Like...

Anybody with a squirrel and/or mole/gopher/vole problem found any spring flowering bulbs they DON"T like? I know there are some varieties sold as being unpalatable to critters, just wondering if its true. Too lazy to mess with screens, netting etc, but just know the squirrels will be feasting all fall if I don't. Any advice?

yotedog,The only bulbs I plant that squirrels absolutely never bother are frittilaria and daffodils.I have no idea why they never bother them??.I am going to try some newer tulips this fall but will put down protection for the bulbs or they will be Squirrel Munchies for sure. Cedar

The don't bother allium, either.

Excellent! Keep those answers coming...and many thanks/1

If you plant daffodils with tulips and iris, will they leave them alone, too?

Hmm....don't know--I've never planted them together, but I really want to plant some tulips this year and I have TONS of squirrels, so if anyone has done this with good or disastrous results..let us know!

I did read some where that if you plant daffodils in and around your other bulbs, the squirrels will leave them alone. I'll see if I can find the source.

I don't think "my squirrels",would leave ANYTHING alone!!!

I mainly stick to daffs, muscari, allium, and eremurus (my eremurus seemed to escape the critters last year) unless I feel daring.

It might help to roll the tulip bulbs in "ropel", 'plantskydd' or 'liquid fence' or some such deterrent before you plant them . Sometimes that helps.

I plant tulips in pots and containers--and leave in the cold garage and take out to a semi protected spot in early spring. Fussy but at least I get a few tulips.

My scilla seemed to do OK in our woodland garden..

My ornithalgolum magnus came through OK last winter. So did my one dozen Hyacinths for the most part.

Also, I thought I would try Crocus 'tommasinianus' this fall which I understand are less palatable to the squirrel population. I don't know if the rabbits like them.

I know you didn't mention deer problems, but just for the record I will add this list of less palatable bulbs from John Scheepers to the thread.

http://www.johnscheepers.com/tips_g.html

It's a nasty challenge. No doubt about it! But worth it! Good luck.

I posted this on the Ohio River Valley Forum http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/638193/


Squirrel maffia invades Athens OH...

Beware of these seemingly cute critters.
They are thieves and tend to bury the evidence.

Friday Aug. 11, 2006.

Rox-male was innocently digging holes for plants from generous DGers, when she discovered the remains of a plant.
A daffodil bulb to be exact.
Upon further digging, additional evidence was uncovered...84 bulbs in all, in a hole measuring 8" x 8" by 6" deep.
The evidence was taken into custody. Neighbors have been informed of the incident and told to keep an eye out for the perpetrators.

ROX

Chipmunks and rabbits tend to eat anything green here in the desert, but left the daffodils completely alone this spring. Maybe they somehow know they are poisonous?

I've ordered daffodils, irises, tulips, and crocuses to plant this fall. Maybe I can ring the other bulbs with daffodil "sentries."

I feel your pain. Last year I planted a mixed bag of bulbs with a pepper mix to deter the digging. The bulbs survived nicely. The varieties the squirrels left alone were daffodils, Iris danfordiae, Iris reticulata, Galanthus, Chionodoxa, Muscari, Hyacinths

But the squirrels ate every crocus and tulip that emerged until on the advice of a DGer I tried a deer repellent (DeerScram) and wonder of wonders they left my last tulip alone.

Here's part of the article I was reading:

How do I keep squirrels from digging up bulbs?
Squirrels can be terrible pests! They won't bother daffodils and other narcissi bulbs (which taste terrible to them!), but they find tulips and crocus in particular to be worth the effort to sniff out and dig up.

The only sure-fire way to protect tulips and crocuses and other tasty bulb treats from squirrels is to lay wire mesh such as chicken wire on top of the bed. The squirrels can't dig through the mesh and the flowers will grow neatly through the holes.

Bulbs are most vulnerable in fall immediately after planting when the soil is still soft and worked up. Digging then is easy! Squirrels often "chance" upon bulbs when burying their nuts in soft ground. Or they are attracted by "planting debris" such as bits of papery bulb tunics and other bulb-scented bits from the bulb bags. Don't advertise your plantingsclean up and keep those squirrels guessing!

Here's one neat trick that garden writer Judy Glattstein has found to work: after planting new areas, lay old window screens in frames on the ground, covering the newly-worked up soil. The screen weighs enough to foil the squirrel, but allows for air circulation and rainfall. Once the ground has settled, remove the screens and store for future use.

Another remedy that some find successful is to actually feed the squirrels during the fall and winter. The theory is that the local squirrel population, when offered a handy plate of peanuts or other easy-to-get treats will leave your bulbs alone. At the White House, the gardeners put up six peanut-filled feeding boxes to satiate the furry denizens there -- and reduced squirrel damage on bulb beds by 95 percent! Many gardeners claim success with commercial repellents, but these are often sticky and unpleasant to deal with, or wash away in the rain.

Home remedies include sowing cayenne pepper into the soil or on the bulbs before planting and scattering moth ball flakes on the ground. You will find advocates and detractors of both methods. A favorite Dutch remedy is to interplant Fritillaria imperialis. This tall dramatic plant gives off an odor that squirrels (and deer too, reportedly) find repellent. There is a book on the subject, "Outwitting Squirrels," by Bill Adler, Jr. (1988 Chicago Review Press, Chicago, IL). It's aimed at owners of bird feeders, but you may find some helpful hints.

Another article:


Many people protect their bulbs by covering the bed with chicken wire; the fencing quickly vanishes into the dirt, but still prevents attack from above. As Rob discovered, however, squirrels can be persistent little tree rats—and bulb-eating voles attack from below. A more absolute defense is to plant the bulbs in wire cages that protect them from all sides. (Our listeners in gopher territory will be all-too familiar with this trick.) Make the cages bigger than they have to be, and place the bulbs in the center, surrounded by dirt, so they can’t be gnawed from the outside. Or surround the bulbs with lots of small sharp stones; a commercial product called “Vole Bloc” is sold just for this purpose.

And it’s vitally important to clean up completely after you’re done planting. Leaving dried wrappers and other ‘bulb trash’ on the surface of the soil is like erecting a neon sign that says: “Hey kids, hungry for bulbs? Dig here!” For added insurance, spray some deer repellant or one of those castor oil products sold to repel moles, voles, and gophers over top when you’re done—or spread cayenne powder or crushed hot pepper flakes on top of the soil to thoroughly disguise the scent.

Hope some of this is helpful...good luck to all!

Love all the responses...it seems I'm not alone in my frustration with the critters (though, I confess, I am on their side--hey, they lived here first....). Gonna try some of these strategies so we can all live in peace. Will report my results next spring!

I really appreciated them too. This thread has given me lots of good pointers. Thanks Yotedog for asking the question! :D