Pest identification
What's eating my crocus 'pickwick'?
Squirrels and mice
Signs: Corms missing or dug up; disturbed soil where bulbs were planted; patchy or absent spring display.
Control: Plant in sunken wire-mesh cages; cover with pegged chicken wire; scatter sharp grit in the planting hole as a mild deterrent.
Birds (sparrows)
Signs: Petals pecked off completely; shredded flowers or stems left behind.
Control: Loosely net beds from bud stage through peak bloom; black cotton thread stretched across the bed disrupts landing.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Notched or partially eaten young shoots, particularly in heavy, moist soils.
Control: Apply iron phosphate pellets at first shoot emergence; improve drainage; hand-pick under boards at night.
Keep crocus 'pickwick' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Crocus 'Pickwick' pests — FAQ
What is eating my crocus 'pickwick'?
Crocus 'Pickwick' (striped lavender) is a favourite target of squirrels and mice that dig corms before they can establish. Birds strip open blooms for nectar, while voles tunnel to reach corms from below. Slugs may nibble early shoots. Animal damage is overwhelmingly the dominant concern for all Dutch crocus cultivars.
How do I get rid of squirrels and mice on crocus 'pickwick'?
Corms missing or dug up; disturbed soil where bulbs were planted; patchy or absent spring display. Plant in sunken wire-mesh cages; cover with pegged chicken wire; scatter sharp grit in the planting hole as a mild deterrent.
How do I get rid of birds (sparrows) on crocus 'pickwick'?
Petals pecked off completely; shredded flowers or stems left behind. Loosely net beds from bud stage through peak bloom; black cotton thread stretched across the bed disrupts landing.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on crocus 'pickwick'?
Notched or partially eaten young shoots, particularly in heavy, moist soils. Apply iron phosphate pellets at first shoot emergence; improve drainage; hand-pick under boards at night.