rodent damage on Hyacinth
Quick answer
If your Hyacinth has rodent damage, the most likely cause is: Dormant hyacinth bulbs sitting in garden soil over winter are a favourite food of burrowing rodents such as mice, voles, chipmunks, ground squirrels, and pocket gophers, which tunnel in to dig up the bulbs and eat them, leaving empty planting holes where a row of hyacinths was set out in autumn.
Start here:
- 1. Plant hyacinth bulbs inside wire mesh cages sunk into the planting bed so rodents cannot reach the bulbs through the soil.
- 2. Store potted, lightly dampened bulbs in a sealed cooler, plastic storage bin, or stout cardboard box on the porch or in an unheated garage so mice and squirrels cannot reach them while they chill.
Why Hyacinth gets rodent damage
Hyacinth
Dormant hyacinth bulbs sitting in garden soil over winter are a favourite food of burrowing rodents such as mice, voles, chipmunks, ground squirrels, and pocket gophers, which tunnel in to dig up the bulbs and eat them, leaving empty planting holes where a row of hyacinths was set out in autumn.
How to reverse rodent damage on Hyacinth
- 1
Plant hyacinth bulbs inside wire mesh cages sunk into the planting bed so rodents cannot reach the bulbs through the soil.
- 2
Store potted, lightly dampened bulbs in a sealed cooler, plastic storage bin, or stout cardboard box on the porch or in an unheated garage so mice and squirrels cannot reach them while they chill.
Keep rodent damage off this Hyacinth
Use the largest firmest bulbs, plant them inside wire mesh cages, and keep any potted bulbs in a rodent-proof container while they chill outdoors over winter.