Pest identification
What's eating my crocus tommasinianus 'ruby giant'?
Birds (sparrows, house sparrows)
Signs: Flower petals bitten off or whole blooms destroyed; worse in late cold winters when food is scarce.
Control: Drape lightweight fleece or fine netting over beds during flowering; stretched black cotton thread deters landing birds.
Voles
Signs: Corms eaten below ground; plants fail to emerge with no obvious surface digging.
Control: Plant in sunk wire-mesh baskets; reduce grass and mulch adjacent to beds where voles shelter.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Grazed or shredded early shoot tips in mild, wet springs.
Control: Use iron phosphate pellets; top-dress with grit; remove autumn leaves and debris that provide slug habitat.
Keep crocus tommasinianus 'ruby giant' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats tommies crocus — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common crocus tommasinianus 'ruby giant' problems & fixes
- Crocus tommasinianus 'Ruby Giant' watering schedule
- Crocus tommasinianus 'Ruby Giant' light requirements
- Full crocus tommasinianus 'ruby giant' care guide
Crocus tommasinianus 'Ruby Giant' pests — FAQ
What is eating my crocus tommasinianus 'ruby giant'?
Crocus tommasinianus 'Ruby Giant' is notably less attractive to squirrels than Dutch vernus crocus — Tommasinianus types are reportedly distasteful to rodents. Birds still peck blooms for nectar. Voles can still eat corms underground. Slugs may occasionally nibble shoots. Overall this cultivar is one of the more resilient crocus choices against animal pressure.
How do I get rid of birds (sparrows, house sparrows) on crocus tommasinianus 'ruby giant'?
Flower petals bitten off or whole blooms destroyed; worse in late cold winters when food is scarce. Drape lightweight fleece or fine netting over beds during flowering; stretched black cotton thread deters landing birds.
How do I get rid of voles on crocus tommasinianus 'ruby giant'?
Corms eaten below ground; plants fail to emerge with no obvious surface digging. Plant in sunk wire-mesh baskets; reduce grass and mulch adjacent to beds where voles shelter.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on crocus tommasinianus 'ruby giant'?
Grazed or shredded early shoot tips in mild, wet springs. Use iron phosphate pellets; top-dress with grit; remove autumn leaves and debris that provide slug habitat.