Something is eating my hostas!! All it is leaving is the stem stalks. I have searched and I can't find any kind of insect around. Does anyone have any idea what could be eating them and how to stop them? I was so excited about them coming back this year and now this!!!
I call Hostas Slug food Every year I buy Mrs. Bugs an expensive plant and pot for her birtday, 7th May.Two years ago I bought her a hosta H.fortunii albo picta and i continually have to inspect it . At the moment I go on slug patrol . They hide everywhere , particulary under pots , under the leaves , kill, kill ,kill I dont agree with slug pellets but they seem to be your only answer 8) Bugs
You could also leave a small container of beer for these slugs - believe it or not they'll be dead with a smile on their wee faces!!! It does work, honest!!! Loretta
It could be deer also! If you have many deer in the area that's probably it. The deer treat my hosta bed like it was their own personal salad bar! You might try some of the commercial deer repellants. Or go to the local barber shop or beauty salon and ask them to save the hair sweepings from the floor for you. Sprinkle the sweepings around the hostas. The human smell should keep the deer away. It works for me!
Capt we have lots and lots of deer, so that is more than likely the problem, never gave them a thought til you reminded me. I'll go talk to our local barber since I really don't like chemicals!! Thanks for the great idea!!
We have lots of bunnies too!! Whatever it was seems to have moved on. The leaves on my hostas are starting to fill out again for the time being. Hopefully whatever it was will not return!!
I love the hair clippings idea - my mom's been struggling with the deer in her area, so I'll have to pass that one along. Thanks!
I tried that, but my stupid cat elvis drank it!! I have been using crushed shells, seems to be working at the moment.Im still using pellets around my newest and juiciest shoots though. Catkins
Hosta I am having the same problem and I think it is rabbit or deer. I have heard that you can put some crushed red pepper in a spray bottle with water and the deer and rabbit will decide after a bite or two that they don't like that plant anymore. This is what I am going to try and maybe it will work for you to. Good Luck! :-D
I also had the same problem last year,and it was the slugs in my case,I do use the egg shell theory and it works but at first had to use pellets to get rid of them