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OT: Evil Critters ate my crocuses

15 years ago

And ate the green tops off my other bulbs too. Grrr...

Don't know if it's bunnies or Bambi.

I'm so mad.

Looking up home made deer & rabbit repellent recipes.

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Comments (5)

sheltieche
15 years ago
sprinkling blood meal usually helps
amna
15 years ago
That is so sad - I've been dreading that. I have to go outside to check every morning before I've even showered!Happened to me last year - actually saw the rabbit/hare munching away on the foliage :-( So far the green stuff is still intact and poking out of the ground. Hope there is some good repellent other than chicken wire - too many bulbs to make cages for each one.

Amna
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I do have daffodils but they haven't opened yet. My 12yo & I just made up a spray with mushed up garlic, tabasco, oil, soap, water. Then we tied strips of dryer sheets. Sigh. I hope that saves the other stuff. (They even ate the spring growth of liriope. I wouldn't mind if they just ate that. )
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colcol
15 years ago
Ahhhh I know the frustration! Good luck with the repellent! How about a watch dog? When looking thru some of the catalogs, I've started making a list of flowers they say are rabbit proofish.
I've decided poultry and gardening is a bad combo. My tulips will never bloom! This fall I'm moving them to my moms. (I mean the tulips, she would have a fit over the poultry!)
What about some bulbs in containers? Hmmm, maybe it's a possiblity! I'd love some of my own tulips to bloom here!
MissMyGardens
15 years ago
New Iris foliage has been nibbled to ground level. First time for that but it's near deer path on their night travels.

I had some Daff foliage eaten as it seems some varieties are susceptible and some aren't. Thought Crocus were safe.

Started every other day repellant spraying last week as Tulip foliage is just up and first bit was eaten. Expect that, though.

I haven't seen any rabbits out and about here yet but deer never go away and groundhogs "woke up" over 2 weeks ago.

I use Shot-Gun Repels All by Bonide. Ingredient list says it's less than ONE TENTH percent "dried blood, whole egg solids and garlic" with the rest of the expensive bottle having to be inert liquid.

Can make stronger brew of above commercial mix in blender.

If not strained it'll clog your sprayer. Garlic juice and eggs without shells might be better choice to avoid clog.

Link shows various "recipes"...I call this the "spray and pray" method!

Here is a link that might be useful: Deer/Rabbit Repellant Homemade Recipes
ajpa
Original Author
15 years ago
Spray & pray, lol. I like that.

My neighbor says she found deer poop in her yard and her flowers got gobbled too so I am guessing it's deer.
It's amazing how far they will forage -- they have to cross a number of busy streets to get here, good grief.

Not that I won't have bunnies coming to the buffet -- we saw them all the time last year. But this is the first year I'm planting veggies so I am worried.

I haven't tried bloodmeal yet.

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