Also, pictures of the bulbs would help.

The chewed up ones. How deep did you bury the daffodils? Tulips are understandable, but most animals won't go for stuff more than a few inches under the soil

Great idea from confidentialforeyesonly. Plant some superhots next Spring the plants are compact and pods are cute. Chop them up to top dress your bulbs. :D

Wire mesh. I top all bulb plantings with pinned down hardware cloth, mesh is about 1/4 or 1/2 inch. I leave it in place til early spring. I use the same squares every year and store them spring til fall. Do a search on here and you will find threads about specifics.

Thanks for the great suggestions. I didn't think to take a photo before cleaning up the mess. I'll try again next year and I'll be sure to use your tips. I like the idea of planting some marigolds and superhots. Thanks!

Jazz, i have lots of superhots seeds. They're mixed though but you'll know what they are once they fruit. PM me if you want some. :)

as for what it could be, to eat so many so quickly, raccoon, opossum, squirrels, rats... they can all go through a lot of food quickly, or even carry it away to eat for later.
in addition to planting superhots, or laying hardware cloth, I second the sprinkling of cayenne pepper powder to discourage anything from digging up the plants,... unless you have pets who will lay in the area because sometimes hot pepper powder can seriously or permanently injure the smelling capabilities of a dog.

I had no luck with either hot pepper or bone meal. I tried spraying a liquid solution of hot pepper and garlic, on the bulb in the hole, around the hole, and on top; and buying a pepper liquid bulb dip ( what a mess, plus the fumes hurt my eyes) . None worked. Hardware cloth is the only thing that has worked for me.

And I doubt marigolds would be blooming at fall bulb planting time.

chicken wire or chicken manure

When you say <<plant superhots>> as a defense, what exactly are you referring to? I had always thought that daffs and squill were poisonous, and that warm-blooded critters would leave them alone? Apparently not.

I planted colchicums late this summer, and these were immediately dug up and inspected by the tree rats (aka 'squirrels'), but none were eaten. Once these are well-rooted, they'll hopefully be impervious to this kind of attack. Or not?

:-/

Rick in CT

Please tell me, what is superhot?