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Produce => Pests & Diseases => Topic started by: Emagggie on March 16, 2007, 18:13:38

Title: Who's been eating my seedlings.....
Post by: Emagggie on March 16, 2007, 18:13:38
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
Title: Re: Who's been eating my seedlings.....
Post by: saddad on March 16, 2007, 19:12:53
Unlikely to be mice if your cat frequents it , apart from the nibbled nasturiums sounds like classic slug and snail problems...
 :-\
Title: Re: Who's been eating my seedlings.....
Post by: cambourne7 on March 16, 2007, 19:22:49
what about a bird or squirel?
Title: Re: Who's been eating my seedlings.....
Post by: Emagggie on March 16, 2007, 20:08:50
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
Title: Re: Who's been eating my seedlings.....
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on March 16, 2007, 20:32:52
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.
Title: Re: Who's been eating my seedlings.....
Post by: mc55 on March 19, 2007, 14:00:25
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.
Title: Re: Who's been eating my seedlings.....
Post by: Emagggie on March 19, 2007, 14:08:44
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 ::))
Title: Re: Who's been eating my seedlings.....
Post by: Tee Gee on March 19, 2007, 14:20:54
If you are using plant trays for your seedlings check under the rims this is an ideal hiding place for newly hatched slugs & snails.
Title: Re: Who's been eating my seedlings.....
Post by: Emagggie on March 19, 2007, 17:24:58
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.
Title: Re: Who's been eating my seedlings.....
Post by: manicscousers on March 19, 2007, 18:37:58
are we talking seeds or plants here, I'm getting worried about my pea plants ?
Title: Re: Who's been eating my seedlings.....
Post by: Emagggie on March 20, 2007, 00:07:38
 Seedlings Manics.
Title: Re: Who's been eating my seedlings.....
Post by: mc55 on March 20, 2007, 11:43:13
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 ?
Title: Re: Who's been eating my seedlings.....
Post by: manicscousers on March 24, 2007, 18:34:01
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  >:(
Title: Re: Who's been eating my seedlings.....
Post by: caroline7758 on March 24, 2007, 18:38:59
Have to confess this is the one place I use slug pellets, too. Can't stand seeing my babies chewed up!
Title: Re: Who's been eating my seedlings.....
Post by: Emagggie on March 24, 2007, 18:41:27
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 ::)
Title: Re: Who's been eating my seedlings.....
Post by: manicscousers on March 24, 2007, 18:44:10

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  :)
Title: Re: Who's been eating my seedlings.....
Post by: valmarg on March 25, 2007, 17:30:48
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
Title: Re: Who's been eating my seedlings.....
Post by: markfield rover on March 25, 2007, 17:47:00
I did notice in a DIY yesterday a mouse  sonic deterent thingy ,but 12 squids!
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