I had the same problem , though not quite as bad as yours. I tried sprinkling cayenne pepper but they just dug through it. One reader here suggested putting large rocks over the area you planted, and this sounds to me the best way, other than using cages (who wants to go through all that trouble of cutting, forming and burying cages).

With all the leaves falling off the trees now, you could try mulching newly planted corms (most of them are on sale now too)with a foot of leaves, see if they bother to dig through that. And if you chase them away everytime you see them, perhaps they may associate your garden with having a risk of getting eaten and avoid it if they have easier targets (my neighbours must wonder why i run out of the house in my morning robes so often making a shhhh noise, then go back as quickly back into the house).
Once the ground is frozen solid, u're safe. Now comes the next challenge, apparently i hear those demon tree rats eat crocus leaves and flowers too....here we go again....

I have been using the following with good results. They are more readily available to me than spray:

-Chicken wire placed over the area anchord down with bricks or rocks
-Blood meal
-Rocks, bricks

I'm having the same problem. I bought bird netting and archored it over the areas I planted the bulbs; then I covered with pine straw. So far the pine straw looks undisturbed. Hopefully, in the spring, I'll just be able to lift the bird netting and remove the pine straw all at the same time.

Debbie
I must say that your Demon Squirrels story is hilarious. Cute site.
I have nothing to add to the previous posts except this..
If the squirrels don't get your bulbs the chipmunks will ;)))

Oh, and by the way, the deer around us seem to think that crocus buds are the tastiest right before the open. Same for tulips.

You may want to stick with daffs and alliums (onion family).

Move to Galveston. We don't have chipmunks and few squirrels. Mine eat peanuts and bury pecans in the yard but never dig up and eat anything. Tally Ho!

Lucky you. What the deer don't eat here the rabbits, groundhogs and squirrels get!

Thanks SO much for all the advice, everyone!

In response to my post, by the way, I got a letter from the "Squirrel Liberation Front". I've entered the URL in the "here's a link that might be useful" field, hope it works...

Debbie

Here is a link that might be useful: Letter from the Squirrel Liberation Front

Caveat: I have NOT tried this, but a friend said that if you put the bulb in a plastic mesh bag (such as onions come in) and secure it with a twist tie, the squirrels can't chew through the plastic to get to the bulb. Would they dig it up, bag and all, and nibble the bulb through the mesh? I have no idea, but she said the method works.