Mice

Description

Mice are small, furry mammals whose refined palate is drawn to the sweet-tasting anthers of African Violets. Unlike Thrips, Earwigs or other insects which feed on the pollen of African Violets, mice will gnaw off the entire pollen sac, leaving little trace of its contents. You can normally expect mice during colder weather, when outdoor food sources become scarce. While not normally a mortal threat to African Violets, mice cause damage not only to the flowers from which they nourish themselves but also to the leaves and stems through which they scramble to get at the pollen.

Distinguishing Symptoms

• Flowers are damaged. Anthers have been gnawed off.
• Rodent droppings. Mice generally have no inhibitions about leaving their excrement in the same vicinity where they eat.

If your African Violet exhibits these symptoms, it probably has Mice.

Other Symptoms

• Leaves are damaged. This symptom will occur as mice climb over the leaves to get to the flowers.
• Leaves are broken. This symptom will occur as mice climb over the leaves to get to the flowers.

Treatment

Consult your hardware store for a rodent control method that is safe around plants.

Prevention

Consult your hardware store for a rodent control method that is safe around plants. Also, minimize the presence of other food sources which may attract mice to the area where you grow your African Violets.

Begin New Diagnosis

Doctor Optimara Main Page | Glossary of Violet Terms | Contact Optimara

Pests, Pathogens and Cultural Problems (Complete List)

Copyright 1999 Optimara/Holtkamp Greenhouses, Inc. Nashville, Tennessee. Doctor Optimara is a trademark of Holtkamp Greenhouses, Inc. Optimara and the Optimara logo are trademarks of International Plant Breeding, A.G., Switzerland.