Expert: Laura Walker - 10/3/2004

Question
I created a new flower bed last weekend and put in bulbs; planning on color next spring. We have LOTS of squirrels(we live across the street from the park)and I'd heard that putting moth balls out would keep them away - Was I ever wrong!I stepped out onto the porch today and saw several holes that used to contain tulip bulbs! (the moth balls were still there too!)
What can I use to keep them from getting the rest of them? Thanks alot.
Doreen  

Answer
Doreen,
For one thing,it's a little like trial and error on Tulip bulbs and critters.You learn their habits over the years when you are a bulb gardener.I plant hundreds of Tulips,Daffodils,Hyacinths,etc. every year. Right now the squirrels are VERY active getting the acorns and various nuts that the trees are dropping along with the fall leaves. They will get just about anything that is convenient for them while they are down on the ground digging around and nice juicy Tulip bulbs are a treat for them. What I do is wait them out until about mid December.That is when they are usually finished foraging for food to store for the winter months.

As long as your ground is not frozen you can plant bulbs.Some people plant too early and lose half of the bulbs to squirrels and deer and even a warm period will make them start coming up too soon. Moles are my biggest problem and I started planting Tulips surrounding them with Daffodil bulbs,which they do not care for.Squirrels can be very annoying though at this time of year.They get in my flower beds and just wreak havok on the soil and mulch,but really it is pointless to try to fight them so you adapt.If you see any Tulip bulbs on the ground,get them and save them until Dec.,then plant them. Also if you have any scraps of bread or anything that squirrels will eat you can sort of tempt them away from the Tulip bed by throwing them some easy food elsewhere in the yard.They have these corn cob things at the garden centers like Wal Mart and Lowes that are made for squirrels to keep them out of bird feeders.I use these at one of my customer's house that has a LOT of bulbs planted and bird feeders to raid. You put them in a basket on a tree or just throw them out in a vacant area to let them have at it and perhaps be tired and full enough to leave the bulbs alone.Also,make sure your bulbs are deep enough that they will give it up after they see how deep they have to go to get them.Planting deeper this early is your best bet.
Hang in there.I know exactly howyou feel!