My humble collection of cacti has taken a beating over the last two nights by a family of mice. They have been targeting Astrophytum species primarily Asterias. At a guess I would say at least 40-50 plants are almost completely eaten. Many of which were of a good size 12cm+ diameter that I had either grown from seed or cared for, for at least 6 years. Very disheartening, I had a similar issue last year but not this bad.

I will post a picture this afternoon.

Really sorry to hear your loss HN, I hope it doesn't dishearten you too much, Might just mean hello grafting and grow some replacements, I know they can never be the same I lost a 15 yr old ario over winter if that makes you feel any better =P

Thanks mate and sorry to hear about the Ario. Hate to loose them, they are so unique and special.
I really did need to downsize but loosing some of my best plants wasn't what I had in mind.

Some of the damage

ZOMG that's nasty. Id be in a rage. I never really understand why some things go cacti and always having a preference of plant they get a liking too. EVIL!!! Luckily for you spring is near id try graft some of those plants man, they may shoot multiple heads if your real lucky

Geez that's brutal ! So sorry for you mate...

Aw geez, that's atrocious. What *is* it with mice and Astros?

It really does suck and the plants in that pic are only the tip of the iceberg. There are a heap more damaged but most not that bad, some have even been ripped clean out of the soil.

I dunno Lach but the buggers love Astros.

Man that's rough. I know it's heart breaking. Had similar happen a year or so back and it really got to me. Seems to happen in winter when you rarely check plants so you have a look one day and it's like Armageddon. Always the A asterias too, they must be tasty. Probably a rat actually judging by the poo size and the amount of damage. I now put out baits in winter now regardless of if I see evidence of rats or not.
My commiserations HN it wont change anything but I know how you feel

I know a system insectide would still need to be consumed by the mice...but do you think that it might poison the little buggers?

I doubt it'd be toxic enough to kill a rodent. And any sort of systemic that would be toxic enough would definitely be quite a hazardous chemical to handle.

omg! some hungry mice,what a bugger... an electrified cage maybe

Dare I say that it could be worse. These were my old ario seed production plants. The first is cv. brevituberosus. They also took out a big old cv.pectinatus and several nice species plant.I would have taken more pics but I was getting emotional. The vermin shall not deter me.

sep18 014 by cryptocarpa, on Flickr

sep18 013 by cryptocarpa, on Flickr

oh NO WAY!! i didn't think mice would climb stock to get the scion ... i better stay on guard with my lot then... i did think they would remain safe atop of peres etc... i guess again