2009, The Washington Post After planting spring bulbs this fall, cover the area with chicken wire or hardware cloth to prevent squirrels from undoing your work. Hide the wire with a light covering of mulch, and make a note to remove the barrier in January to allow the bulbs to grow. Squirrels will eat tulip and crocus bulbs. They may also excavate inedible bulbs such as daffodils in newly disturbed soil. 