Do squirrels eat the flowers too?

Sometimes they will nip off the buds, but they are primarily interested in the energy-rich corm underground.

Are there any repellents that work?

Some gardeners have luck with blood meal or commercial repellent sprays, but physical barriers like wire mesh are much more reliable.

Spring Crocus: pests, causes and fixes

Check these first

Look for small holes or disturbed soil around the planting site.
Check for tunnel entrances or runways near the base of the plants.
Inspect the area for leftover bulb fragments.

Likely causes

Squirrels and Rodents
Most likely
How to tell: You see small holes in the soil and missing or partially eaten bulbs. They are most active when food is scarce in late winter.
What to do: Lay down a piece of chicken wire or hardware cloth over the planting area. You can also cover the soil with heavy mulch or stone to make digging difficult.
Voles
Possible
How to tell: You notice small tunnels or runways near the surface of the soil. Voles often eat the corms from below ground.
What to do: Plant your bulbs in wire mesh baskets to create a physical barrier. Keep the area around your bulbs clear of thick mulch where voles like to hide.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your spring crocus

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

If you lose a large portion of your planting, you need to act quickly to protect the remaining bulbs. A single hole might just be a curious animal, but multiple holes indicate a persistent pest.

Stopping it coming back

Use wire cages when planting your bulbs to deter digging. Planting bulbs deeper can also make them harder for rodents to detect.

Spring Crocus: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your spring crocus and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Do squirrels eat the flowers too?: Sometimes they will nip off the buds, but they are primarily interested in the energy-rich corm underground.
Are there any repellents that work?: Some gardeners have luck with blood meal or commercial repellent sprays, but physical barriers like wire mesh are much more reliable.

Guides to these causes

Rodents

Why are animals digging up my Spring Crocus?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your spring crocus?