What animal is eating/disturbing my begonias?

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birdingbloomer Posted: 08-24-2009 11:41 PM

I gave up growing begonias this year.  I've grown them in these long rectangular planters for years until this year.  Everytime I replant, they would soon be torn to shreds.  The next day.

I noticed that we had more bunnies this year.   And squirrels.  Could it be one of these mammals disturbing the plants or some bird eating it???? I don't know what to think anymore.

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Billie_Jo replied on 08-25-2009 1:00 AM

Hi Tina,

I have had trouble with squirrels this year as well, they dig under the plant and leave a nice hole while disturbing the plant itself. I sprinkled "Blood Meal" around the base of the plants and it seems to be working. If you have a lot of rain you will have to do this more often. The bunnies do like to nibble as plants, we lost all our morning glories last year because of them and something ate every bud on my lilies :-( Give the blood meal a try and I am sure others will come up with other suggestions as well. Good luck

Donna

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woodlandgal_WI_zn4 replied on 08-25-2009 3:41 AM

Hi Tina,  Unlike most people, I don't have a rabbit problem and squirrels don't disturb my plants.  For me, it's the darn chipmunks!!  They dig up smaller plants to bury their sunflower seeds everywhere.  They did break off my best Coleus earlier this summer when they climbed into a raised planter.
And that isn't all they do.  They hide seeds in the air cleaners of our vehicles and just recently chewed off a wire that caused the "service engine soon" light to come on!
Sometimes I wish I had an outdoor cat to take care of them! Angry

 

    Pat ~ WC WI

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skippydel13zone6KY replied on 08-25-2009 12:10 PM

Sounds to me like you need a lot of rat traps to eliminate your problem. LOL  Knew someone who killed an unreal amount that way because they were tearing everything up.  My mother use to have them really bad too but I've yet to see one at my house (knock on wood).  I have enough problems with the squirrels, coons, possums and neighbor's cats than to need chipmunks to add to the problems.

-Deloris

-Deloris

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birdingbloomer replied on 08-25-2009 12:13 PM

Thanks for your replies BillieJo and Woodlandgal.:)

Boy, the grass is greener on my side.  I shouldn't complain.

BillieJo, I'm running out to get blood meal!:)  Lots of it, because it has been raining here!

Pat (Woodlandgal), I don't have chipmunks. There's only one that I see at school & I try to befriend it.  They are so cute and I wish I had them instead of these darn squirrels.  However, with what they did to your car, lol, I'm not sure I want them now.

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growingranny_va_z7 replied on 08-25-2009 3:48 PM

I have a lot of squirrels around and rabbits too. The only problem I have is a rabbit chewing off my little Hydrangea every winter so after two years of not having blooms I am going to save all of the dog hair I brush out of the dogs and put that around it and also a wire mesh screen this fall. I think my two dogs and my daughter's two keep most of the critters away. Molly

 

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