# We planted about 100 bulbs yesterday and some critter dug up 30 of them last night (or maybe the morning.) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** gardening\ **Created:** [April 10, 2024, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-planted-about-100-bulbs-yesterday-and-some-critter-dug-up-30-of-them-last-night-or-maybe-the-morning/1000104 "2024-04-10T16:24:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-planted-about-100-bulbs-yesterday-and-some-critter-dug-up-30-of-them-last-night-or-maybe-the-morning/1000104/1 "2024-04-10T16:24:20Z")
Incredibly frustrating, we suspect it is a squirrel but wondering if it was some other animal. I know squirrels bury nuts and suspect he saw us burying nut like objects and decided to steal our stash. **Sound reasonable or some other animal a likely suspect?** This is in Central Jersey, near the bay shore. The little bastard even dug up a flowering daffodil. We’re going to start putting white stone down Friday or Saturday depending on the delivery of 42 bags. A ton of rocks is not going to be fun, hopefully this stops future raids, I was just planning on a grass/weed suppression and that it would look good next to the new walk. But maybe it will also discourage critters. ---
**Author:** ![2\_More\_Bits](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2_more_bits/32/4148_2.png) [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-planted-about-100-bulbs-yesterday-and-some-critter-dug-up-30-of-them-last-night-or-maybe-the-morning/1000104/2 "2024-04-10T16:32:04Z")
Squirrels are likely tucked into their beds at night. I’d blame skunks, opossums, raccoons, rats… most any creature of the night common to your area. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-planted-about-100-bulbs-yesterday-and-some-critter-dug-up-30-of-them-last-night-or-maybe-the-morning/1000104/3 "2024-04-10T16:33:06Z")
What kind of bulbs? The size would have some influence on the possible plant predators. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-planted-about-100-bulbs-yesterday-and-some-critter-dug-up-30-of-them-last-night-or-maybe-the-morning/1000104/4 "2024-04-10T16:38:54Z")
Years ago I stated putting heavy black plastic mesh over bulbs every fall and I pulled it up as soon as they started coming in. It didn’t eliminate them getting dug up, but it meant I’d only lose one or two instead of half of them. I’m lucky that the area where mine are planted is surrounded by concrete. I’ve seen stories of people essentially making an underground cage by using the same mesh below and around the sides of the garden as well to prevent things from tunneling under it. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-planted-about-100-bulbs-yesterday-and-some-critter-dug-up-30-of-them-last-night-or-maybe-the-morning/1000104/5 "2024-04-10T16:45:04Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Incredibly frustrating sorry this is happening to you. it’s almost like Mother Nature doesn’t care about our plans! 😠 ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-planted-about-100-bulbs-yesterday-and-some-critter-dug-up-30-of-them-last-night-or-maybe-the-morning/1000104/6 "2024-04-10T16:49:02Z")
You might also try putting out some sacrificial food source that’s tastier than the bulbs. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-planted-about-100-bulbs-yesterday-and-some-critter-dug-up-30-of-them-last-night-or-maybe-the-morning/1000104/7 "2024-04-10T16:53:00Z")
I’ve seen squirrels dig up and eat my crocus bulbs. They are diurnal, though, so if it happened at night it’s something else. I have a fox who likes to dig stuff up. It’s like having a dog in the yard, only it runs away when it sees people and would be dangerous if it didn’t ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-planted-about-100-bulbs-yesterday-and-some-critter-dug-up-30-of-them-last-night-or-maybe-the-morning/1000104/8 "2024-04-10T16:59:52Z")
It’s not only mammals. We have tried to grow vegetables in mid-florida, and the damn nematodes destroy them every time… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-planted-about-100-bulbs-yesterday-and-some-critter-dug-up-30-of-them-last-night-or-maybe-the-morning/1000104/9 "2024-04-10T17:00:27Z")
Have you thought about getting a large crocodile or gator to patrol the yard? Failing that, a low-budget approach to the problem is to liberally sprinkle cayenne powder in and around the bulbs. That generally tends to discourage unruly animal behavior in gardens. The only potential downside is that if skunks are the culprits, they will spray like crazy after ingesting the cayenne. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-planted-about-100-bulbs-yesterday-and-some-critter-dug-up-30-of-them-last-night-or-maybe-the-morning/1000104/10 "2024-04-10T17:16:24Z")
I was about to say, squirrels are somewhat lazy animals. Whatever animal the OP is dealing with sounds a lot more…diligent than a squirrel. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-planted-about-100-bulbs-yesterday-and-some-critter-dug-up-30-of-them-last-night-or-maybe-the-morning/1000104/11 "2024-04-10T17:28:57Z")
> [@Dropo](#): > > a low-budget approach to the problem is to liberally sprinkle cayenne powder in and around the bulbs. I forgot about that trick. I will probably go that route if the stone doesn’t do the job. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-planted-about-100-bulbs-yesterday-and-some-critter-dug-up-30-of-them-last-night-or-maybe-the-morning/1000104/12 "2024-04-10T17:33:30Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > What kind of bulbs? Good question. Incandescent or LED will make a difference. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-planted-about-100-bulbs-yesterday-and-some-critter-dug-up-30-of-them-last-night-or-maybe-the-morning/1000104/13 "2024-04-10T17:46:20Z")
Feeding CFLs is just animal cruelty. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-planted-about-100-bulbs-yesterday-and-some-critter-dug-up-30-of-them-last-night-or-maybe-the-morning/1000104/14 "2024-04-10T18:03:17Z")
I’ve had deer digging them up. They must not like them because they are rarely eaten. Except the garlic bulbs. They eat the heck out of them. I have a big bed of them so they don’t get them all. I also have winter onion in the same location. They don’t seem to like those. I feel I have Italian deer. I’ve heard if you plant marigolds the deer won’t come near the beds. I’ve had some success with it. But I just hate the things too. They stink. BTW, aren’t you a tad late getting bulbs in? ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-planted-about-100-bulbs-yesterday-and-some-critter-dug-up-30-of-them-last-night-or-maybe-the-morning/1000104/15 "2024-04-10T18:29:44Z")
I’ve heard animals are mostly attracted to the freshly dug up soil and don’t particularly want to find bulbs. You can just cover over the damp soil for a few days to let the smell reduce and dissipate as it dries. A wide area soaking might help, too. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-planted-about-100-bulbs-yesterday-and-some-critter-dug-up-30-of-them-last-night-or-maybe-the-morning/1000104/16 "2024-04-10T18:33:26Z")
Sounds like the rocks will help then. Hopefully another digging spree won’t happen tonight or tomorrow morning. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-planted-about-100-bulbs-yesterday-and-some-critter-dug-up-30-of-them-last-night-or-maybe-the-morning/1000104/17 "2024-04-10T18:39:01Z")
Trail camera will solve the mystery. They film at night and activated by motion. Just hang one up in a tree. I like to capture the animals in the woods near my home. It’s very interesting. They can also be used for security if 2 legged varmints are on your property. One example, it’s on sale for $40 Limited-time deal: Meidase Trail Camera, 48MP 1296p, Clear 100ft Night Vision Motion Activated, Hunting Game Camera with Fast 0.1s Trigger Speed, IP66 Waterproof [https://a.co/d/erlQHFM](https://a.co/d/erlQHFM) ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-planted-about-100-bulbs-yesterday-and-some-critter-dug-up-30-of-them-last-night-or-maybe-the-morning/1000104/18 "2024-04-10T18:50:17Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Trail camera will solve the mystery. That reminds me… I’ve been considering repurposing a disused automotive dashcam to spot four legged passersby in my yard. It’s not weatherproof or IR illuminated but does have motion video capture and the biggest plus: I already have the cam. A USB battery will run it for at least a day so I’ll keep an eye on the weather and put it out for a night at a time. ---
**Author:** ![JacobSwan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@JacobSwan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JacobSwan)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-planted-about-100-bulbs-yesterday-and-some-critter-dug-up-30-of-them-last-night-or-maybe-the-morning/1000104/19 "2024-04-10T18:50:26Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I’ve had deer digging them up I’ve got a couple of muntjac deer that developed a taste for potato plants last year. Nothing else was touched, but as soon as the potatoes flowered they gobbled all the plants within a week. I’ve just spent today putting a chicken wire fence around the potato plot in the hope it will keep them at bay. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-planted-about-100-bulbs-yesterday-and-some-critter-dug-up-30-of-them-last-night-or-maybe-the-morning/1000104/20 "2024-04-10T18:52:25Z")
What bulbs are you planting in spring? We’ve had little luck w/ anything other than daffs. And even with those, in one drift squirrels bit off just about every flower stalk. Grape hyacinth and scilla are fine, but we don’t even try crocus. If a plant doesn’t want to grow with the conditions I offer, or if animals eat it, I simply try another plant. Life’s too short to try to baby plants or combat animals. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-planted-about-100-bulbs-yesterday-and-some-critter-dug-up-30-of-them-last-night-or-maybe-the-morning/1000104.md?page=2)