What's going on?!??! I'm a new gardener, and just recently planted some hostas in my little garden. They look so beautiful, but yesterday I noticed a couple of them have holes in the leaves.
Have I done something to hurt them? :(
Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I'm very new at this!
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Paula - i have exactly the same problem (CAT & all). Thanks artsy for the useful info. I have looked for slugs in the evening, but haven't noticed any? Could they be there & I'm not seeing them?
Buy some seven or Immunox, insects are attacking them no big deal...Good Luck -david
....slugs hate rough stuff to climb over so egg shells, coffee grounds, steel wool, rough mulch etc will deter them. Some people put out cups submerged in the ground to the rim with a mix of water, sugar and yeast. Some use beer. Slugs climb in and drown.
Oh yes, slugs love hosta's. They usually hide in the pot when you buy them or there are eggs that will hatch. Speaking of eggs, you can also put egg shells or sand around the base of plants to deter the slugs. They don't like a rough surface to "slime" over.
Paula! I just love your office and the Paris grouping!! Now be a good girl and post these pictures on the forum!!! Everyone loves your house, please share with the others!
Where did you find the little letters to spell P A R I S? I love these! I am almost finished my office. Just painting one last thing today. :)
I'll give this a try. :( Do hostas generally attract slugs?
PS. I finally painted my office (although I didn't go with the yellow after all), and posted a picture of my Paris vignette. It's on the MSN site.
The best method is to go out in the evening and pick them. Based on your "ewww" comment I doubt you will like this idea. There are probably 100 different opinions on slugs but eradication is what you ultimately want to achieve. As a temporary measure, you can buy a copper tape (available at big box stores or greenhouses) that you put around the base of the plant close to the ground that will deter them. Next, place a piece of slate or board near your hostas. Early in the morning, lift the board or piece of slate and they will likely be underneath. You will have to remove them. Do this each morning until they are gone. I would also look for a slug product that is not toxic for animals. I do not know of any except for the copper tape.
Another known remedy is to place a shallow bowl and sink it into the ground and fill it with beer. I have not had as much success with this but you could try it also. Good luck.
P.S. when I had my slug infestation ... DH and I would go out once it was dark and pick hundreds of them. Talk about ewwwwww!
I have 3 hostas in an area approximately 12 x 4. There are other plants in here as well, do you need to know what they are? (I don't know the names of all of them).
Do the slugs actually climb up on the leaves and munch away???
Yes, I was going to suggest a powder you can buy that is fabulous but not pet friendly. There are other remedies. First, tell me how many hostas you have in how large of an area?
Thanks Artsy, no I don't have pets, but the neighbour's cat is often over visiting us - does that count?
you have slugs. I can help you with this, first tell me if you have any pets.