Expert: Kenneth Joergensen - 9/17/2006

Question
HELLO,
I LIVE IN PAINESVILLE, OHIO 44077.

EVERY YEAR I ADD CROCUS BULBS TO MY YARD, AND EVERY YEAR I HAVE TO PLANT THEM TWICE, AS THE CRITTERS THINK THEY ARE NUTS (OR SOMETHING), DIG THEM UP, AND LEAVE THEM ON THE TOP OF THE DIRT PILE. WHAT CAN I PUT IN THE HOLE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING? CAN I USE "HOT PEPPER FLAKES?"
I HAVE 54 BULBS TO PLANT, AND I WOULD LIKE TO PLANT THEM ONLY ONCE!

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR EXPERTISE.

VIOLET

Answer
There is a lot of discussion about this. Some people put hot pepper flakes (you can try this). I prefer to spray the area with an animal repellent like Deer-Off (works also for rabbits and squirrels).

The rodents are often attracted by recently dug soil (they think that other animals burried goodies in the soil and so they dig because the soil has been disturbed).

You can try to buy a roll of chicken wire (metal landscape fabric, e.g. metal mesh wire which comes in 3 foot wide rolls in length of 25 or 50 feet). Roll out the chicken wire and fasten it with long wire staples (the type you use for tents) Then cover the wire mesh with leaves, etc, or just let it be for a few weeks to a month.

The rodents will try to get into the soil through the mesh, but can't. A few months later you can remove the mesh and the rodents will usually leave the soil alone then.

I like to use a combination of the two methods explained above.

I usually remove the chicken wire (metal mesh fabric) when the soil freeze for the first time).

Good luck.
-- Kenneth