do squirrels dig up spring bulbs?

Answer 1

Yes they do, the little blighters! A good way to deter them is by putting a bit of ground pepper in the hole when you're planting your bulbs.

Answer 2

Yes they will. A lot of it has to do with the depth of the planting. In my USDA hardiness zone (5), we should be planting our tulips and daffodils about 8" deep. The bulb planter that is commercially is only about 4.5" deep. At that depth (4.5") the squirrels can easily dig up the bulbs.

Make sure you're planting deeply enough. Measure the tool you're planting with to be sure you're at the right depth. Many bulbs fail because the depth is inadequate. Then we blame the squirrels, which may or may not be the actual reason.

I do like the suggestion of the black pepper. You can also apply hot pepper spray onto the bulbs themselves. It is available at your independent retail garden center. Blood meal might work too, but conversely it might attract Raccoons and or Skunks.

I hope that this helps
Good luck-

Answer 3

Oh yeah,they love tulip bulbs,but you can plant bulbs for Spring that squirrels do not like. Daffodils, Narcissus, Alliums and Fritillaias. The Fritillaias is a pretty plant but it is not one that you want to bring inside as it smells.Squirrels and Humans don't like the smell. But it sure looks great in the garden. If you still want to plant tulips,( tulips do not multiply as the others do) plant as you normally do but put chicken wire on top,with a few rocks to hold it down.When you see growth in the Spring remove the wire.Squirrels and cats do not like the feel of the wire when the dig.

Answer 4

I live in Colorado and have found that if I add some good old Louisanna Hot Sauce or Habenero sauce to the holes when I plant the bulbs they don't get eaten by any critters. If you've already planted them, just take a large bottle and give the area a real good sprinkle a few times throughout the winter. Looks weird on the snow but I always have beautiful flowers in the spring.

Answer 5

the only time I genuinely have had a challenge with squirrels digging for my bulbs is whilst they are newly planted. based on the variety, they won't even have an interest. Daffodils carry no charm for squirrels. Tulips, they love. i've got no longer seen them challenge Hyacinth or Crocus yet that does no longer mean they do in comparison to those. till now planting your bulbs toss them in a small paper bag and sprinkle in some medicated foot powder. provide the bag a reliable shake to coat the bulbs with the powder then plant as popular. The medicated powder retains the squirrels from smelling your bulbs and that they do no longer disturb them.

Answer 6

They seem to like the taste of some more than others. I have daffodils,
winter aconite.snowdrops,and scilla that they leave alone. One year I
planted 50 tulip bulbs and they ate all but 8. You have to laugh. Their
antics keep me amused so I try not to let the missing bulbs bother me.
keep smiling.

Answer 7

yes they do! we planted 2oo bulbs and got 10 flowers then i read a magazine tip about how to protect bulbs in a tub from squirrels- i wouldnt mind but we were putting nuts out for them and saying how cute that they buried them round the garden when actually they were nicking my tulips!! cheeky buggers!

Answer 8

yes they do to help prevent this plant daffodil bulbs with the others they do not like these for some reason

Answer 9

Yup - never mind - be like me and have no flowers in the spring

Answer 10

ah but you can get your own back.. squirrels are a great BBQ delicacy