# What Eats Lily Bulbs?
Lily bulbs attract a number of small animal pests, some of which consider the bulbs a tasty treat. Other animals do not actually eat the bulbs but damage them through normal activities and must be minimized to grow healthy lilies.
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Types
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Chipmunks, ground squirrels and voles all eat lily bulbs. Moles, gophers and rabbits also damage or eat bulbs and new, tender lily bulb shoots in the garden.
Solution
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Baited traps near burrow entrances work well for controlling most of these animals. Poison baits control large populations. Repellents such as thiram work against voles and rabbits, while chemical treatments to eradicate grubs and earthworms decrease mole activity in the area.
Time Frame
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Set traps early in the spring or fall, immediately preceding the normal time of greatest activity, recommends Purdue University Extension. Putting unset traps out with bait for the first two to three days provides the best results.
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