Topic: Who's been eating my seedlings.....

[Emagggie]

Tootled along to the greenhouse today to find decapitated tomato, lettuce, beetroot and butternut squash seedlings.  ??? >:( I think it's mice because some of the nasturtium seeds were eaten and the skins left behind.
Is there anything which deters mice smellwise? Can't put poison or traps down as my cat likes to snooze in the greenhouse. ;D

[saddad]

Unlikely to be mice if your cat frequents it , apart from the nibbled nasturiums sounds like classic slug and snail problems...
 :-\

[cambourne7]

what about a bird or squirel?

[Emagggie]

No evidence of slug or snail Saddad, though it's posssible of course. It happens at night it seems as I noticed it first thing. I will have a more thorough look tomorrow.
I don't think a bird or squirrel can get in when the door is shut Cam, though there are plenty about here just now.
The little b****r chose my Sante Baby plum toms, only a few in a very expensive packet  >:( Will go and get some good old Gardeners Delight tomorrow to make up the loss. ;D

[Robert_Brenchley]

The odd slug can do a lot of damage to seedlings without leaving any trace apart from the damaged plants. If you look under your pots you may well find them, otherwise use pellets. I don't like the things, but this is the one context where I do use a few.

[mc55]

Maggie, I am having the same problem and have seen a tail in the greenhouse which I sure hope is a mouses !  I've got fresh mouse droppings around the damaged plants.  Buggers had my broadbeans (outside) and marigolds & sweetpeas (inside) ... oh and a chomp on one of my cara's.

[Emagggie]

Ooooh nasty mc. I put some halves of grapefruit skin with some slug pellets in in amongst the seedlings that had been attacked, but the pellets were trailed all over when I looked and no nasturtiums left now, so I'm pretty sure it's meeces. That cat will have to earn her supper I think ;D (as if ::))

[Tee Gee]

If you are using plant trays for your seedlings check under the rims this is an ideal hiding place for newly hatched slugs & snails.

[Emagggie]

I have been to look TG, no sign of the dreaded slug/snail, BUT mouse droppings in my grapefruit haves :o. Obviously grapefruit trained ;D.
Found a book which says mice don't like the smell of paraffin. Haven't got any so put some menthol on tray edges as I reckon they wont like that smell either. If that doesn't work I'll get some paraffin I suppose.

[manicscousers]

are we talking seeds or plants here, I'm getting worried about my pea plants ?

[Emagggie]

 Seedlings Manics.

[mc55]

they've started on my seed potatoes now  >:(

my sweetpeas were about 3" high ... now just stalks sticking out of the compost.  Will they grow again ?

[manicscousers]

we've lost a sunflower, a few cauli seeds and turnip seeds..now we've raised everything up, one of the plot holders has lost a gutter full of pea seeds, never had a mouse problem before  >:(

[caroline7758]

Have to confess this is the one place I use slug pellets, too. Can't stand seeing my babies chewed up!

[Emagggie]

Darn it, I forgot the paraffin again. The little b****rs ate my Siam Queen Basil last night. I've also lost some sunflowers, cauli and lupins too Manics.
I've also raised what's left up, and yes, a gutter full of peas has gone too. This is in my garden with 2 cats ::)

[manicscousers]

Darn it, I forgot the paraffin again. The little b****rs ate my Siam Queen Basil last night. I've also lost some sunflowers, cauli and lupins too Manics.
I've also raised what's left up, and yes, a gutter full of peas has gone too. This is in my garden with 2 cats ::)

what the ** is up with them this year, has the mild winter allowed them to survive longer or have they come out earlier, if they don't stop it, it's poisoning time..bit worried about it 'cos we get some kids here  :)

[valmarg]

Having lifted a large tray off the greenhouse staging, and found two of the little sods underneath, how about earwigs?  They can do  lot of damage overnight.  Just a suggestion!
 valmarg

[markfield rover]

I did notice in a DIY yesterday a mouse  sonic deterent thingy ,but 12 squids!