How to spot it

Small, stocky, mouse-like rodents with short tails. Look for narrow runways in the grass, small holes, and gnawed bark at the base of young trees.

What it does

They eat roots, bulbs, and tubers from below and gnaw bark, which can kill young fruit trees.

What to do now

• Set snap traps in their runways, baited with peanut butter and covered with a box to protect birds and pets.

Keep it away next time

• Plant bulbs and roots inside hardware-cloth cages.
• Put hardware-cloth guards around young tree trunks.
• Keep mulch pulled back from trunks and the grass near the garden short.

Helpful supplies

Affiliate links: we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.

Plants it affects