How to Protect Plant Bulbs From Pests

Squirrels, mice and other rodents are attracted to flower bulbs, particularly spring bulbs such as tulips. They dig up bulbs throughout the year, but winter dormant bulbs are the most vulnerable since you are unaware of the damage until flowers fail to come up in spring. Protecting the bulbs from these pests, without ruining the appearance of the bulb garden, is vital. Install protective measures at planting to keep bulbs safe from scavengers both above and below.

Chicken wire
Wire snips
Gardening or workman's gloves
Mulch

Instructions

- 1
  Dig out the soil in the entire bed to the depth indicated for the type of bulb you are planting. Generally, bulbs are planted at a depth equal to three times their width.
- 2
  Cut two pieces of 1-inch mesh chicken wire to a length that is 4 inches longer and wider than the bed. Use wire snips to cut the wire and wear gloves to avoid injury from the sharp cut edges.
- 3
  Lay one piece of the chicken wire over the bottom of the bed. Fold the overhanging edges up.
- 4
  Set the bulbs on top the chicken wire in the desired planting design and spacing. Replace the soil in the bed.
- 5
  Lay the second piece of chicken wire over the top of the bed, but fold the overhanging edges downward. The wire forms a cage around the bulbs.
- 6
  Place a 2-inch layer of organic mulch, such as wood chips, on top the chicken wire to camouflage it. Pests are unable to dig down or up through the wire and cannot reach the bulbs.

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