# Tulip Bulbs & Pests
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Aphids and Mealybugs
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Aphids and mealybugs love to suck plant fluids from blooms and stems and can be found sucking on the bulb when air pockets or light surround the bulb. Aphids are also known to spread viruses from infected plants to healthy plants via their mouth parts.
Spider Mites
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Spider mites may make tunnels in healthy bulbs or feast on rotting bulbs. This pest also is responsible for spreading viruses and other organisms that rot bulbs. Spider mites are found on outdoor tulips as well as indoor forced tulips.
Nematodes
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Pests that attack tulip bulbs also will attack other types of flowering bulbs. Nematodes are tiny transparent worms that feed on roots and bulbs. Nematodes infestation symptoms include the presence of root galls. Nematodes in large numbers can destroy the basal plate of a tulip bulb according to the University of Florida Extension office.
Furry Pests
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Chipmunks will make a meal out of tasty bulbs. Pests also come in larger forms such as mice, chipmunks and ground squirrels who love to dig up bulbs for food. Set traps of various sizes to catch these uninvited dinner guests.
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