What Is Digging In My Indoor Potted Plants At Night?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Rodents, squirrels, raccoons, foxes, and household pets can be digging up your potted plants at night. They might be attracted to the plants or the bugs crawling around in the potting soil. You can add a

physical barrier, repellent herbs, bonemeal, or cayenne pepper

to keep them away.

How do I keep rodents out of my potted plants?

Dig through the soil, and then remove any mouse snacks you find there. Then fill in the

hole and sprinkle peppermint oil on the rim of the plant pot

to keep the mice from returning. You will need to re-sprinkle the oil every 1-2 days if you haven’t managed to rid your home of the mice yet.

What is digging up my indoor plants?


Burrowing Mice

Can Kill Your Plants

If you notice holes in the soil around your plants, and dirt on the floor, a mouse or two may have set up home in the soil beneath your plant. You should first take the plant outside. Then gently remove it from the pot.

Do indoor plants attract mice?


There would be nothing about common

houseplants (any potted plant indoors) that would be attractive to mice. … On the other hand, food stored in cubicles would be the first place mice would go.

Do squirrels dig up plants?

Squirrels also like

to dig holes in garden soil and planting pots

, either to look for seeds or to bury food for later use. Here are some signs that squirrels are causing mischief in your yard and garden: Small holes dug in planting beds and pots. Half-eaten (or missing) fruit or flowers.

Do rats dig holes in potted plants?

Do rats dig in potted plants?

Finding holes dug into the houseplant is frustrating but is also a common problem mostly in the fall and winter

. Although these creatures do not eat houseplants, rodents will consider the loose potting soil as a great hiding place. Rodents burrow in an effort to store food.

Why are there holes in my indoor plant leaves?

Holes in leaves: Holes in the leaves are

usually associated with poor nutrition or hot, dry air

. Many people believe insects cause this, however, unless you keep the plant outdoors, this is rarely the case. … The plant could be too dry from lack of adequate humidity as well.

Do mice dig in flower pots?

Finding a series of holes dug into your houseplants can be frustrating, but holes in potted plants aren’t uncommon, especially in the fall and winter. As the weather gets cooler, rodents often seek shelter indoors.

Will cayenne pepper hurt plants?

Cayenne Pepper:

Cayenne pepper won’t hurt your plants

but it will keep many small animals away. Every few days, sprinkle about 1⁄4 cup of cayenne pepper throughout your garden. … Try planting them all along the border of your garden as a type of “no trespassing” barricade for bugs and creatures.

What house plants keep mice away?

You might try planting these in or around your home to keep the mice away: any type of

mint, amaryllis, sweet pea, lavender, daffodils

, wood hyacinth (or squill), grape hyacinth, alliums, catnip, camphor plant, elderberry, euphorbias, and wormwood. * Oak and bay leaves are also known to repel rodents.

How do I protect my plants from mice?

Blood meal in the soil, for instance, will add nutrients and also keep rodents away from buried bulbs.

Cayenne pepper sprinkled on bulbs

or plants will deter mice after one taste or even sniff. Your local garden store may also sell specific mouse deterrent products.

What plants attract rats?


Plant ivy, palm trees, juniper bushes, and cypress trees

to attract rats. These plants and trees make wonderful homes for them. Leave ripped or ill-fitted vent screens alone so rats can have easy access into crawl spaces. Once they are under your house, they can easily find routes into your house.

What animal eats a mouse?

House mice are eaten by a wide variety of small predators throughout the world, including

cats, foxes, weasels, ferrets, mongooses

, large lizards, snakes, hawks, falcons, and owls.

Why are squirrels digging in my flower pots?

Why Do Squirrels Dig in Flower Pots? Squirrels

dig primarily to bury their cache of food, such as acorns or nuts

. Flower pots are ideal because potting soil is so soft and easy for squirrels to dig in. Chances are, you’ll find their tasty treasure trove buried a few inches (7.5 to 15 cm.)

What do squirrels hate the most?

Scents like

white pepper, black pepper, and garlic

are naturally unpleasant to a squirrel. The same goes for sweet smells such as peppermint. Try spraying your plants and flowers with water and then sprinkling on pepper or peppermint oil to deter squirrels.

How do I protect my plants from squirrels?

To keep squirrels from plants or beds,

install a cage or cover

. Hardware cloth, plastic bird netting, chicken wire, and summer weight row covers all provide effective protection.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.