Pest identification
What's eating my pretty crocus?
Squirrels and mice
Signs: Corms removed from the soil in late summer or autumn; bare patches where plants fail to flower.
Control: Bury wire mesh over planting area; use grit mulch to deter digging; plant in wire baskets in susceptible gardens.
Birds
Signs: Flowers pecked and petals pulled off at ground level.
Control: Stretch black cotton thread above bloom height during the flowering window.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Flowers and shoots nibbled at soil level in damp autumn conditions.
Control: Iron phosphate pellets; hand-pick at night; avoid mulching too close to the corms.
Keep pretty crocus pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Pretty Crocus pests — FAQ
What is eating my pretty crocus?
Pretty Crocus (Crocus pulchellus), an autumn-flowering species from the Balkans, faces the usual crocus threats: squirrels and mice dig the corms, and birds peck open the pale lilac flowers. Slugs may nibble emerging blooms in wet autumns. It is generally a robust, trouble-free species in open garden or naturalised settings.
How do I get rid of squirrels and mice on pretty crocus?
Corms removed from the soil in late summer or autumn; bare patches where plants fail to flower. Bury wire mesh over planting area; use grit mulch to deter digging; plant in wire baskets in susceptible gardens.
How do I get rid of birds on pretty crocus?
Flowers pecked and petals pulled off at ground level. Stretch black cotton thread above bloom height during the flowering window.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on pretty crocus?
Flowers and shoots nibbled at soil level in damp autumn conditions. Iron phosphate pellets; hand-pick at night; avoid mulching too close to the corms.