The Bulb Buffet

Hello!

I'm having a problem - local chipmunks/ground squirrels (?) think that I've got a really kind heart and are putting out dahlia bulbsl just for them. They've eaten other bulbs as well but apparently I've gotten some tasty dahlias lately. Any thoughts on how to stop the little piggies? I've used blood meal and am currently running a chipmunk relocation service (I got number 9 last night!) but don't have any other ideas. Any thoughts? Thanks for your help!

Susie

You could try hot pepper flakes sprinkled about.

Or sprinkle some 'deer scram' or other stuff like that--sometimes they don't like that.

Or maybe moth balls.

I am not sure if blood meal is a deterrent, or not.

When you figure out what works, be sure to publish a book about it!

LOL, I sympathize whole heartedly. I have a wonderful kitty that takes care of moles, voles, and baby squirrels pretty well, but the adult "tree rats" are almost as big as she; therefore, I have had to help her out a little. At first, I was chastising my dog for digging up my Oriental lily bulbs in the back yard, until I found the 60 caladiums I planted in the front yard GONE!!! I actually caught the little furry bandits red-handed in my rose garden digging lily bulbs.

I replanted a few dozen caladiums, but this time I sprinkled cayenne pepper on the bulbs themselves before planting. Imagine my delight when I discovered a corm dug and dropped like a hot potato! Now, my caladiums are coming up all over the place and next year I will use cayenne on all my bulbs and corms. Strange, they haven't bothered my dahlias at all, and I have planted about 30 this year.

Bulbs planted in oversized wire cages never get eaten by critters. You have to use a wire mesh that allows the growing parts of the bulb to pass, but, that keeps the critters heads from getting thru. Sometimes they will eat the foliage. A second wire cage, above ground, that protects the bottom 1/3 of the stems usually stops them. You can spray paint the cage a dark color, making it less visible.

If that doesn't stop them best to grow something they won't eat.

Gingerland>