Just bought our home last year and I know that nothing has been done to the beds for a couple of years. Last summer I noticed that most annuals and my hostas and lily leaves were 'holey' and then some were gone (only annuals eaten into oblivion, leaves first). One or two slugs noted in the grass, not in the beds. Lots of earwigs around and then there are the 'mystery bugs'. Brown, size of a pinky fingernail, lots of legs, round like an armadillo and in sections like one too. At night they climb the house towards the lights. Crazy amounts of them too. Didn't really see them on my plants, but definitely in the beds during the day, didn't look at night, creepy little guys... Anyone out there know if they are my problem? Oh ya, I have ruled out cut worms too. Thanks
Look for sowbug or pillbugs in the search section of this site - lots of info about them there. Margaret
Thanks Margaret I did the search and yes they look like sow/pill bugs, though I don't remember if they roll up so I can't be certain which one. According to the info they are good and won't eat my plants, so what else could it be? Would earwigs do it?
I don't think that sow bugs could be the problem either. My nasturtiums were getting decimated by "Inch-worms" (moth larva). That might be the case with you too. They are coloured just like your plants and very hard to see. Check on and under the leaves that are being eaten away. Look hard. They are green and 5-25cm long. I only have a patio to worry about so I just pluck them off. At any rate, if your leaves are being eaten then look at them well to see the hungry critters. You might want to look into weevils too. Just a thought. Michael
