I have been making wire cages for several years for ourselves and our in-laws. We have summer homes in the mountains at 6000 feet. We plant all bulbs in them. We make the cages of 1/2 wire mesh and bury them at whatever depth is necessary for the particular specie. We have planted many different California native bulbs, daffodils, crocus, and others. On the larger bulbs, a larger mesh is necessary. If squirels are the main problem, we have used a piece of 3/4 or 1 inch mesh. We bent about 2 inches of wire down and cover the bulbs. It seems to discourage the squirels to the point that they leave the bulbs alone - at least they have for the past 4 years. It works! Doug Westfall