Mysterious pest... any ideas?

[robstott]

Hi,

I noticed yesterday that quite a few of my beetroots (which are still only a couple of inches high) had seemingly been pulled up by the roots. The plants were left on the surface and didn't seem to have been munched in any way.

It looked for all the world like the work of a naughty child, but since none could have access (short of ninja like skills) I'm assuming it's some kind of pest. Pigeons? Mice?

In the short term, I've put some chicken wire over the raised bed, but as the plants grow that will have to go. Does anyone have any suggestions as tothe culprit, and what the solution might be?

Any ideas appreciated!

Rob

[pdblake]

I would guess at pigeons or mice.

I've never had problems with mice but for pigeons use netting or mesh. They especially don't like those sandcastle windmill things, or anything brightly coloured that moves.

And you'd be surprised at where a small child can get to when you're not looking

[robstott]

Thanks for the suggestion. I was guessing at possibly pigeons, although I don't really understand why they'd go to the effort of pulling up seedlings but not eating them. Most odd.

I'll try some mesh, and if that doesn't work then maybe landmines... ;-)

Cheers
Rob

[Bramble_killer]

squirrels? we've got some that eat the onions leaves

[pdblake]

Pigeons are either just plain stupid or extremely spiteful. They pull up allsorts for no good reason.

I sowed some peas a few weeks back and forgot to put the netting over them. The next morning they'd all been pulled out and scattered all over.

[womble]

Pigeons are either just plain stupid or extremely spiteful. They pull up allsorts for no good reason.

Stupid, I think they must have some chicken in their ancestry.

[Mchanen]

I have heard that pigeons may pull up seedlings to get to worms underneath?!

You maybe best constucting some sort of frame to place over your seedlings while they are growing to place the netting on.

[davetee]

Sounds like a cat to me...are there any in the area. I planted a load of heather and flowers a few weeks back and next door's cat dug the lot out...they were all over my patio.

[Florence Fennel]

I have heard that pigeons may pull up seedlings to get to worms underneath?!

You maybe best constucting some sort of frame to place over your seedlings while they are growing to place the netting on.

I thought that this was the reason for birds pulling out newly planted onion sets, because they look like worms? Perhaps pigeons are short sighted as well as colour blind?
I thread bamboo poles around the edge of wire netting to make a "frame" over the beetroot seedlings and this has kept everything off so far, touch wood!

[Two_Sheds]

Last year I watched sparrows attacking my beetroot seedlings - ripping at the leaves. Peas too.

I had to construct a cat's cradle effort out of black cotton, over the bed, to keep the birdies off.

[Two_Sheds]

I thought that this was the reason for birds pulling out newly planted onion sets, because they look like worms?

Blackbirds pull out onions because the brown dry tops look like good nesting material. I've watched our blackies collecting allsorts of dry grass, hay, shredded paper etc for their nests.
They hunt worms by listening to the ground.

[Madame Mucksprout]

Sounds like a cat to me...are there any in the area. I planted a load of heather and flowers a few weeks back and next door's cat dug the lot out...they were all over my patio.

An old family cat of ours used to take great pleasure in pulling up onions ?? it took us years to find the culprit!


Any naughty cats around your area?

[Comfreyfan]

The blackbirds seem to have a go at most things around here, also the sparrows - one year they completely unpicked the natural garden twine I'd used to tie up my bean row - I had to re-do it all with old tights!

[sandspider]

Last year I watched sparrows attacking my beetroot seedlings - ripping at the leaves. Peas too.

Your peas attack your beetroot seedlings?! Bloody Hell, what did you fertilise them with?!!

[bramble]

Don't think its cat as I have rwo of them and while they do a lot of damage they never pulled anything up from the ground.
More likely to be birds.