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HELP please? Will the mice eat my seeds & seedlings?
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Posted: May/09/2008 2:57 AM PST
I am trying to start different seeds in my outside rock garden. I found a few holes that looked more like impressions than dug holes. About the size of a kitty print, so I passed it off as maybe the kitty walked through the beds. I watched the cat walk through my flower beds, but he didn't make any impressions at all. I started to see some of my seeds sprouting, but I went out there yesterday and a few of them were missing. My questions are: 1.) Will the mice dig and eat my seeds (all types, sweat peas, bachelor button, some daisy types etc.)? 2.) Will the mice eat my seedlings? 3.) If so, what size will the mice stop eating them? 4.) If so, how do you stop it? Thanks for your thoughts!! ~M~ *P.S. The pests probably aren't rabbits as we have dogs that patrol the yard and I have never seen a rabbit in this area.* |
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Posted: May/09/2008 3:44 AM PST
Impressions in the dirt make me think of toads, but I doubt they'd eat your seedlings. I've never worried about mice eating seedlings, but then I don't free sow a lot of seeds...hmmmmmm. You might put some moth balls around the area to ward off mice, birds and other pests, at least until your plants are well established. For a less toxic approach, and one that works in our camper over the winter - place unused dryer sheets around. |
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Posted: May/09/2008 12:32 PM PST
I may try the dryer sheet approach. I thought I read somewhere (along time ago though...)that mice don't like onions/chives. I picked some pieces of chive and kind of slit it open to expose the "oniony" smell and placed it around the seedlings. We'll see if that is effective in the long run or not. Last year when the "Pack Rat" was eating my flowers I had planted a bunch of chives out there to possibly ward off what ever it was eating my stuff. It didn't effect the "Pack Rat", or as I like to refer to them as the "Beasts" that ate my garden. Another note, I caught the cat actually digging in my garden today ( I have yet to discover what he was burrying/what surprise he left me. It was right where some of my seeds were coming up. Yet another stumbling block to successfully planting seeds outdoors....if not nature, then my Mother-In-Laws cat....jeeze. Thanks for the suggestions!! I will definitely try either, starting with the dryer sheets first. I will have to be careful that whatever chemicles are in the dryer sheets don't leech into my soil though. Thanks again! ~M~ |
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Posted: May/11/2008 5:13 PM PST
I would phone a nursery and ask about your problem with the mice. I have had gardens for years and at the same time mice problems but never had mice eating plants. try putting some soot around the plants and see if there are paw prints in the morning |
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