Pest identification
What's eating my tommies crocus?
Squirrels and mice
Signs: Corms dug up and eaten in autumn or late winter; gaps appear in naturalised drifts.
Control: Lay wire mesh over newly planted areas; plant in wire baskets; 'Tommies' are naturally less targeted than yellow forms.
Birds
Signs: Flowers pecked open, petals stripped; mainly early-morning feeding.
Control: Black cotton thread stretched above flower level acts as a deterrent without harming birds.
Aphids
Signs: Soft spring growth colonised; leaves may yellow; honeydew attracts ants.
Control: Apply insecticidal soap; plants are short-lived in bloom so treat promptly to preserve flowering.
Keep tommies crocus pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Tommies Crocus pests — FAQ
What is eating my tommies crocus?
Tommies Crocus (Crocus tommasinianus) is notably more squirrel-resistant than other crocuses because its small, thin corms are less palatable, though rodents still occasionally dig them. Birds peck open the lavender flowers. It naturalises freely, making it resilient, but aphids and vine weevil grubs can weaken plants in dense clumps.
How do I get rid of squirrels and mice on tommies crocus?
Corms dug up and eaten in autumn or late winter; gaps appear in naturalised drifts. Lay wire mesh over newly planted areas; plant in wire baskets; 'Tommies' are naturally less targeted than yellow forms.
How do I get rid of birds on tommies crocus?
Flowers pecked open, petals stripped; mainly early-morning feeding. Black cotton thread stretched above flower level acts as a deterrent without harming birds.
How do I get rid of aphids on tommies crocus?
Soft spring growth colonised; leaves may yellow; honeydew attracts ants. Apply insecticidal soap; plants are short-lived in bloom so treat promptly to preserve flowering.