what is eating my sunflower heads

Squirrels, too, compete with birds at feeders and generally make a nuisance of themselves. Wild animals don't draw a line when it comes to food, and your ripening sunflower heads are also a target. Preventing bird and squirrel sunflower damage may seem like a round the clock defense strategy, but take heart.

What's eating my sunflower heads?

Lots of birds will eat the immature seeds - that's partly what I grow sunflowers for. Squirrels will also eat the flowers and seedheads. Don't cut the head off - if it's as I imagine I'm sure the rest of the seeds will develop normally ... ... There is a squirrel that visits, but I put nuts out for him/her earlier.

How do I keep bugs from eating my sunflowers?

Managing So Many Pests

If you're just growing a few sunflowers in the backyard garden, though, you don't have to be so thorough. If you spot insects, you can often pick them off, or when that isn't practical, you can spray them with a solution of dish soap and water or with a garden-friendly insecticidal soap.

How do you kill sunflower moths?

A basic dish soap and water insecticidal spray is helpful for killing sunflower moths and keeping them away from your plants. Simply mix 1 1/2 teaspoons of any type of dish soap with 1 quart of water. Pour this mixture into a spray bottle, and spray directly on to your sunflowers.

Will birds eat sunflower heads?

Sunflowers are useful plants to have in a wildlife-friendly garden. Bees, and sometimes butterflies, love the nectar and feed on the flowers when they're in full bloom. Then greenfinches and goldfinches will munch on the nodding, drying seedheads.

How do I keep animals from eating my sunflowers?

Start protecting sunflowers by planting thorny or sharp plants around the base. You can use cardboard or metal to fashion a baffle just under the flower. These will prevent the animal from reaching its prize.

Should I deadhead my sunflowers?

As a general rule, deadhead sunflowers when they start to fade or when they are damaged and no longer attractive, before they produce seeds. When a sunflower's flower head stops looking as vibrant as it once did or when its yellow ray petals have fallen off, select it for deadheading.

What can I spray on my Sunflowers to keep bugs away?

Vegetable Oil Spray

A variety of oils such as safflower, peanut, sunflower or soybean can be used. Take about 2 grams of this mixture and mix with one cup water and use to spray the sunflower plants to control bugs such as aphids, mealybugs, scales and mites.

What insects do Sunflowers attract?

So, what animals and bugs are attracted to Sunflowers? A numerous amount. Sunflower bugs and beetles, Cutworms, ladybugs, spiders, bees, snails, butterflies, moths, aphids, seed Weevils, squirrels, rabbits, birds, deer, mice, rats, hedgehogs, chipmunks, Raccoons and the list goes on.

What is sunflower disease?

The major diseases posing threats to ornamental sunflower are the same as those threatening oilseed sunflower hybrids, namely downy mildew, rust, Phomopsis stem canker, Sclerotinia wilt, Verticillium wilt, and charcoal rot.

Does dish soap kill moths?

Try the ol' soapy bowl of water trick.

This little trick is fairly common, and it sort of works. Basically, just mix some dish soap in a large mixing bowl of water, and set it under a lamp. The moths will fly towards the lamp, bounce around, and land in the water.

Do moths eat sunflowers?

The wings have a few small, darker spots. These ⁵/₈ inch long moths fly to developing heads of sunflowers and lay eggs at the bases of florets. From the eggs hatch tiny, yellow worms that feed primarily on florets and pollen.

How do you harvest sunflower heads for birds?

Harvesting seeds is as easy as cutting off the flower heads, leaving 2 to 4 inches of stalk on each one. Until you are ready to feed the birds, store the heads in a dry area, such as a shed or garage, in a secure container away from mice or other pests.

What do you do with sunflower heads on birds?

Step 1: Allow the sunflowers to dry out thoroughly. Place them in a cool, well-ventilated room; that will prevent them from going mouldy. Leave them to dry until the heads turn brown and the backs turn yellow. Step 2: Once your sunflowers are well-dried and discoloured, remove the heads.

What can I do with my sunflower heads?

When it has run the course of its' life, dried sunflower heads make tasty bird feeders in the winter. Harvest and roast the seeds and sprinkle on salads or enjoy as a healthy, tasty snack. (Seeds are generally ready to harvest when the head turns brown on the back.)

How do you protect sunflower plants?

Protect Your Seeds

After sowing, cover the soil with 1-2 inches of mulch on top of the garden soil to help keep moisture in.
Protect newly planted seeds with cloches, wire mesh cages, or anything that will keep birds, squirrels and mice from digging up the seeds or eating the seedlings.

How do you protect sunflower heads?

Place a brown paper sack upside-down over the head of the sunflower. This protects the seed from birds, squirrels and too much moisture, but allows the flower to still receive air flow as the seeds age and dry.

What animal eats sunflower seedlings?

Animal pests that forage on seedlings include chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, voles, woodchucks and deer. Commercial repellents with a strong odor or taste are often effective deterrents that don't harm the animals.

Do sunflowers bloom more than once?

They do not grow and bloom again. These are usually the varieties cultivated for their large size, showy flower heads and edible seeds. A few types of sunflowers, however, can be grown as perennials, which means they will grow more flowers again the next season.

Will sunflower head grow back?

Are sunflowers annuals or perennials? While most varieties of this bright beauty are annual sunflowers, meaning they will not come back the following growing season, they may self-germinate from dropped seeds if you leave the heads on the plants throughout the winter.

When should I cut off my sunflower heads?

Once your sunflowers have died back completely and the backs of the blooms are brown, it's time to harvest. You'll also notice the seeds are plump and somewhat loose. Cut the stalk with sharp scissors or pruners, about one foot down from the flower head, and place in a container that can catch any loose seeds.