Mice eating my seedlings in the greenhouse?

Adstid

Morning!
Always a new challenge in the garden, isn't there? Never had this problem before, but this spring something is eating my seedlings in the greenhouse. Got my sweet peas and cerinthe so far. 
It's not slugs - no slime, and there are little holes where the creature has dug down to get the seed, top growth discarded. I am guessing a mouse??
Has anyone else had similar trouble? Any ideas on prevention? I think I would struggle to make the greenhouse itself mouse-proof but perhaps I could protect the seed trays??
Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

Hostafan1

mice LOVE sweet pea seeds. 
I've resorted to mouse traps baited with peanut butter.

Allyblueeyes

Hi @Adstid,  I’ve had a mouse problem for years and have resorted to buying large un-heated propagators with tall lids.  You can fit loads of 3/4” pots in and the lid is large enough to allow the seedlings to get to about 6” high.  They’re about £15 from amazon, are quite sturdy and have protected my sweet peas and plug plants so far.  It’s not a perfect solution but I’m squeamish and won’t use traps.  The one in the picture is approx. 14” x 18” x 4” and the lid about 7” high.  I’ve got two and they’ve been a godsend.  Hope this helps.

Hostafan1

I think ( but might be wrong ) it's the seeds they love, not so interested in the plants. 
Mabye someone else can add something?

Allyblueeyes

Hostafan1 said:

I think ( but might be wrong ) it's the seeds they love, not so interested in the plants. 
Mabye someone else can add something?

I’m sure you’re right Hosta .... the mice love the seeds but the slugs love the plants 😡

Pete.8

I've had the same happen now and then.
A seedling germinates and before the first true leaves appear there's just the stem left.
I've always assumed it's mice as like you I can see no sign of slug/snail trails. But mine are in a heated propagator with sand on the bottom and I can see no sign of foot prints either....
Sometimes I put lettuce seedlings in a cold frame and the same happens - all leaves gone and just a bit of stem left.
Mysterious goings on!

Allyblueeyes

Pete.8 said:

I've had the same happen now and then.
A seedling germinates and before the first true leaves appear there's just the stem left.
I've always assumed it's mice as like you I can see no sign of slug/snail trails. But mine are in a heated propagator with sand on the bottom and I can see no sign of foot prints either....
Sometimes I put lettuce seedlings in a cold frame and the same happens - all leaves gone and just a bit of stem left.
Mysterious goings on!

🤔

Fairygirl

I'd agree - the mice will eat the seeds, but slugs will eat the greenery.
It's unusual for mice to eat the seeds after there's green growth though.

My mice are too well fed [ living in the greenery behind the birdfeeder cages] so they obviously can't be a*sed heading across to the greenhouse for sweet peas seeds. 

Hostafan1

In years gone by , I've just dropped new seed into the very neat holes the mice have left behind . 

Hostafan1

On a plus note, Lidl have sweet pea seeds at 5 packets for £1

Fairygirl

I sowed some in the autumn - don't usually bother with that. Most germinated well.

I don't like multi coloured sweet peas though @Hostafan1 - I only like certain colours

Control freak me