Thank you Jim McKenney for your comments. I am sure we have all read, heard about certain plants being beneficial for controlling various pests. I have yet to hear or have any proof at all that any such work. Has anyone really had success with such? Jim, you mentioned that bitter compounds of Magnesium or Manganese makes certain bulbs unpalatable to rodents etc., could then such not be applied to bulbs that are eaten, in a form of dust or liquid (and allowed to dry on the bulbs) to deter them? Epsom salts come to mind. Just a thought and such must be easier that trying all the various suggestions made. Cheers, John E. Bryan