AusBonsai

Last 2 days something has started digging big holes in my pots. In the larger pots the hole would be at least 15cm deep. It only happens at night We do have a neighbours cat that comes over when we aren't here (which may go missing soon) but not sure if it is the culprit. I had an issue with a possum eating new shoots but don't know if it would dig holes. The holes are too deep/narrow for a bird I think. Might have to set some deterrents I think.
My bet is on the mongrel cat

Josh.

Could be Blackbirds, they can dig big holes looking for worms and grubs.

Yeah that was my first thought and I have had trouble with blackbirds but this seems different Different in the way the hole is dug and none of the trees with moss are touched which is where they go normally and only at night, not during the day at all. My mother (trust mum) thought bandicoots but don't think they'd get up in the benches. I'm very curious as to what is. I know the neighbours cat is pushing its luck I will investigate further.

Josh

Hi Josh, I would be surprised if it was a cat. At night they are more interested in hunting...birds, rats, possums etc.
Hope you solve the crime.
Cheers, Dario.

I wouldn't have thought it was a cat I have 2 and they never touch my trees .
They did knock one over once chasing each other. There would be no reason for them to dig into the soil unless there is a steamer in there

If it is only a small round hole it could be Beatles/ curl grubs . But sounds more like birds I have noticed lots of magpies in my garden recently eating bugs in the grass.

If the soil is easy to dig, blackbirds will dig a big hole, sometimes halfway down the side of a 33cm plastic pot.
It happens early morning, during the day and evening.
Mostly morning till the cat sorted them
The best way to solve this one is to don the cammo and boot polish, sit and wait

Mate, I've been getting Indian Mynas digging holes, scratching around, and shi ing everywhere. Hate the little bastards, I'll have to work out a deterrent soon!

Doubt yours would be cats, unless you've been using kitty litter as potting mix , you'd know too as you'd find a few extra pebbles buried away I'm betting on early morning birds.

Sounds a bit like bandicoots. Usually on the ground they have a v shaped hole and different species have a different size and shape to their holes. But like you, I don't think they would be up on benches. They do jump and they like curl grubs, so .......

cre8ivbonsai wrote:Mate, I've been getting Indian Mynas digging holes, scratching around, and shi ing everywhere. Hate the little bastards, I'll have to work out a deterrent soon.

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=indi ... ent=safari

Damian Bee wrote:

cre8ivbonsai wrote:Mate, I've been getting Indian Mynas digging holes, scratching around, and shi ing everywhere. Hate the little bastards, I'll have to work out a deterrent soon.

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=indi ... ent=safari

Yeah I've had issues with birds before but this seems different. Not one pot with moss has been touched I had a possum take every leaf off a crab apple a couple of weeks ago. I have had several broken branches in the last week which I attribute to the possum or cat or kids I will lay in wait, I will watch, I will discover, I will destroy... or I'll have another bloody pet

Josh.

Josh if you manage to figure this out let us know I have the same issue in my herb boxes at the moment something just keeps digging holes, they don't seem to ever touch anything but the herbs and always over night.


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Ok, so it'd definitely not birds. I have moss growing in a tray with another tray wired upside down on top to protect it. The holes are too small for a bird and yet last night something got into it (the moss on the benches wasn't toughed thogh). Decided to go the whole hog and camo up (thanks for the idea Damien). So on with the camo and balaclava (it's here at night) and I'm out hiding out in the bushes ready to catch the culprit. So after the next door neighbour calls the cops on me for loitering......only kidding. I'm already....I said I was ready.....oh come on already, it's cold out here, just show ya face so I can go inside. Well it showed it's face alright, on the rail just above my head is a possum, is it cat is a..... of crap it's a rat
Yes that's right, a rat. I didn't get a real good look as it startled (read "scared the crap out of") me and then made a hasty retreat. Upon further investigation I found a hole in under the pile of trees I cut down to be mulched. It appears to be a native bush rat of some kind as it was different from a normal rat. I suspect it is looking for grubs or roots to eat
O bugger, did I say native........I can't kill it now, can I I will hope it just moves on then .
At least I know now and can plan some defence.

Josh

Good story!

I agree, great story. You went to a great deal of trouble to ID the culprit.

Watto wrote:I agree, great story. You went to a great deal of trouble to ID the culprit.

Thanks guys, and I even decided to leave out the part about the snake and the drop bear.