What's eating my garlic?
 

I thought garlic was something that deters not incurs pests. However something dug up my garlic.

The season is still early here in zone 6, there's only a few culprits it could be, here is my list in order of likelihood

1. squirrels (I haven't seen any yet this season but there are LOTS in my area when they are around and the digging suggests it)
2. rabbits, just cause they are everywhere but do they dig for garlic? (I have seen one already this season in my backyard)
3. deer, i think there would be more damage to my raised bed if it was deer.

there are also fox and neighboorhood dogs, however both are carnivores and wouldn't mess with garlic right?


http://spike.crazykook.com:2122/pics...g%20garlic.JPG

Re: What's eating my garlic?
 

Deer and rabbit would eat the greens and move to the next plant. I would pick squirrel from the list but would actually suspect something else.

Re: What's eating my garlic?
 

it could be something else all together, any ideas?

Re: What's eating my garlic?
 

Vampires!





(Nice beds)

Re: What's eating my garlic?
 

My first guess would be cave bears. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_bear

My second guess would be deer.

Re: What's eating my garlic?
 

seriously, to me it looks like a dog's handiwork...

Re: What's eating my garlic?
 

I agree. Cats do that crap too but the head of garlic would still be laying there.

Re: What's eating my garlic?
 

when i say neighborhood dogs i should rephrase. I live in the country and the neighbor has dogs. However, I have NEVER seen them in my yard. My beds are all very soft loamy soil. If it were dogs I would expect to see tracks in the beds because of their weight. So while it may be dogs I am a little skeptical that it is a canine....

cmon you guys are pro, what's eating my garlic?

whatever it was ate the bulb and left the shoot as you can see it laying there

Re: What's eating my garlic?
 

Is a human pest out of the question?

Re: What's eating my garlic?
 

sigh, this is a serious post....I'm not sure how to counter this problem. Maybe the pic doesnt do the hole justice but a human pest wouldn't have left such a perfectly dug gaping hole

Re: What's eating my garlic?
 

I was seriously trying to help. The fact that only one plant was damaged indicates a small, likely pack-ratting animal like a squirrel. If it was a squirrel you'd see more holes all over the place. The fact that only one was taken indicates a selective and careful pest. Like I said, rabbits and deer would eat the greens. Again, I agree that it looks like dog. A fox could do the same or a raccoon. I suggest fencing and maybe an IR motion sensitive camera. The fencing because that is where you are going regardless and the camera just to satisfy your curiosity. If it is raccoon you will just have to deal.

Re: What's eating my garlic?
 

Re: What's eating my garlic?
 

Re: What's eating my garlic?
 

mtnman, you may be on to something. the most likely time was night. however I am not outside during dusk or dawn when many pests are their most active. But I do check my garden every morning and usually every evening and only noticed it this morning...so I was thinking the attack happened over the night....are raccoons active this time of year in zone 6...hmmm

Re: What's eating my garlic?
 

FWIW, the bastard not helping you called raccoon first. A better question at that point is just what heck are you going to do about it? Raccoons are a PITA.

Re: What's eating my garlic?
 

Wascally wabbit. Around my area you could have not those beds without a fence and some barrier at least a foot+ underground.

Re: What's eating my garlic?
 

Your rabbits dig up produce and forsake the greens?

Re: What's eating my garlic?
 

So the end all be all is to build a cage around all my beds right? But I want to try this first.


Just cause it's so freaking cool of an idea. anyone have an experience with one?

Yes SLV you said raccoon first, if that's what the problem is. though I would think a racoon would leave tracks in my raised bed as they are kinda fat woulnd't they? Hmmmm

Re: What's eating my garlic?
 

Re: What's eating my garlic?
 

In zone 6 Raccoons are active all year and they would leave almost no tracks in your garden. They will leave little piles of crap. 3/8" to 1/2" in diameter and about 2" long several of these in a pile. You may even see remains of your garlic skins in it. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
That water nozzle will work for the first week. Then that ol' coon will just take a bath while he eats LOL! They are smart and VERY hard to discourage. Spend $30 and buy a coon sized live trap, bait it with sardines, they can't resist this. <o:p></o:p>

Re: What's eating my garlic?
 

What have your sleepwalking patterns been lately?

More seriously,

Given the rearward throw pattern of the dirt plus no

Perceivable tracks,

Squirrel or raccoon.

My bet is on the squirrel.

scyth

Re: What's eating my garlic?
 

Coon repellant.

Blue Heeler.

Outside dog.


scyth

Re: What's eating my garlic?
 

That's classic cave bear behavior. They're very wasteful, even compared to other bears.
Do you have any large caves on your property? Look around.

Re: What's eating my garlic?
 

Re: What's eating my garlic?
 

I don't know where you live but that looks like an armadillo hole to me. They love grubs and roots.