Keeping the critters away?

[LJA]

What do you do to keep things like voles from eating bulbs? Is there anything you can put down or around them that will discourage that?

[Piper]

Ok Kev,

Inquiring minds want to know...

What reason did King Louis give for joining what I thought was our private club?

Julie

[LJA]

um,

ehrm....

I can leave if you guys would rather have this to yourselves--maybe would be better.....

ok!

[TundraKev]

Sorry, don't know nothin' about voles. I don't know if we even have them (we must), but I've never seen or had a problem with them. I did some searching and it seems the only way to get them or stop them is to trap 'em.

Julie - can't tell you that. There might be kids lurking here.

l - stick around

[Piper]

Cats eat voles. That keeps the voles from eating my bulbs.

Julie

[Gin]

You better not leave , or I will post all kinds of stuff on the other side . Like how to properly fold laundry, and clean the lint catcher on the dryer . lolol Gin

[RSJ]

If you're really serious about the voles, you can make a wire bulb box that you plant the whole thing into the planting hole after the bulbs are safely ensconsed inside with some sawdust or shavings keeping the bulbs from actually being against the wire. Small-grade chicken wire is used around here.

I have never actually done this myself, just passing on advice from others in the area. We also do have voles and that's what the neighbors did with all their bulbs.

RSJ

[LJA]

Thanks, RS.

(A little more work than I was hoping I'd have to do, but makes sense: If you can't catch the critters, cage the food...)

Gin, the lint catcher I'm fine with, really. It's that darned FOLDING that makes me nuts....

[Gin]

Caster Beans (ricin ) is used for gophers but not sure about voles Gin

[Orchidzrule]

Hi Kev,


I am confident there are some species of voles in the Minneapolis area. There are at least three species of them in my part of the world. I'm betting on at least the meadow vole in your area. Any of them will dine on tasty plants! Who could blame them? (I know--all of us! LOL)
Fortunately, they're not usually a problem in urban, or even most suburban areas. They're far less of a problem than damn rabbits, sleazy red squirrels or hideous gray squirrels.

RSJ's advice sounds good if you are unfortunate to have these pests. Presumably good against rabbits & squirrels, too.

Cheers,

Rob