Sunflower Seedling Damage: Vertebrate or Cutworms?

Question: CA sunflowers emerged, now chewed. No day insects (few ants). Water+Dawn spray failed. What's eating them?

Answer: Likely Vertebrate (Squirrel, Groundhog, Rabbit, Deer)

Mint-coated seeds at planting deters rodents
Diatomaceous earth around plants: shows tracks + controls cutworms (nocturnal)
Electronic deterrents for nocturnal pests (deer, raccoon) – walnut_creek_enterprises.webs.com

Smooth soil for tracks; trail camera. Hard to solve unseen mysteries.

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