Have You Found Bulbs Dug Up and Eaten? 

Autumn is the time to plant your spring-flowering bulbs. But have you, in the past, wondered what has dug them up again or why nothing grew in spring where you planted in autumn?

There is a good chance that hungry rats and mice have discovered your newly planted bulbs, dug them up and taken them away to cache in their winter food store or eaten them on the spot. Many bulbs will provide a tasty food source for rats and mice as their other food sources dwindle in autumn. Bulbs that are palatable to rodents include tulips, crocus and gladioli as well as our vegetable bulbs.

To prevent rats and mice eating your bulbs the best thing to do is get rid of the rodents. Be prepared; rodents seek food and shelter in autumn as the weather cools and the natural food supplies disappear.

• Search your garden for signs of rodents.
• Proof your home and garden shed/s to keep rodents out.
• Remove other food sources around your garden:
  • Pick up fallen fruit and nuts.
  • Seal away grass seed and packets of bulbs.
  • Make sure rats and mice cannot access bird tables and food put out for birds.
  • Ensure no food scraps are put in compost heaps.
  • Ensure bins are kept sealed.
• Place NO Rats Bait Stations in safe areas in your garden and around your home. Mice will also feed in NO Rats Bait Stations.
• Place NO Rats & Mice rodenticides in your roof void and other safe places within your buildings.

You can also try and protect bulbs you plant by laying or burying chicken wire or gravel over the area of planted bulbs.

This autumn is likely to see the usual influx of rodents entering buildings and causing harm such as eating bulbs. Protect your home and garden now!

Prevention is better than cure.

David Brittain
Kiwicare