Controlling Hosta Pests That Love Eating Hostas

• Slugs
• Deer
• Rabbits and Other Rodents

Slugs

Slugs eat holes in hosta leaves usually between the veins, they are generally very clean cut and little to no discoloration can be seen, simply missing leave tissue

• Slug-resistant hostas: Hostas with thicker leaves are less likely to have slugs or the holes in the leaves that slugs leave behind. You can find which hostas are most slug-resistant at the HostaSearch™ Database and Search Engine.
• Slugs look like snails without shells. They are active feeders at night and on cloudy days, chewing holes in hosta leaves. A sign of slugs is their slime trails; shiny squiggly lines they leave as they crawl around. Slugs reproduce by laying eggs, up to 50 eggs at a time in a clutch. Slugs are active when temperatures get above 50 degrees and there is ample moisture from either rainfall or watering. This is a good reason to water in the early morning. Slugs like deep, dark hiding places beneath leaf litter, mulches, and dense ground cover. Toads, ground beetles, garter snakes, moles, shrews, and wrens all prey on slugs.
• Possible solutions:
  • SLUGGO - An organic compound that breaks down into fertilizer.
  • Plant slug resistant hostas. These hostas can be found using the HostaSearch™ Database. Some popular examples of slug resistant hostas are: Rainforest Sunrise, Thunderbolt, Whirlwind, and Revolution.

Deer

• Deer love hostas. They seem to enjoy eating hostas with fragrant blooms (plantaginea family) the most. Use the HostaSearch™ Database and Search Engine to determine the fragrant hostas.
• How can hostas and deer coexist? Here are some possible preventative solutions:
  (HostasDirect, Inc.'s policy is to not endorse products. We only provide information.)
  • Wireless Deer Fence
  • Deer Scram
  • Liquid Fence
    NOTE: It is recommended that plants are dry before application to ensure good adhesion. It is a water-based product and you should avoid applying when direct sunlight could potentially burn the plant.
  • Plantskydd
  • Gardener's Supply Company
  • Deer Out
  • Safe Pet Products
  • Plastic and Metal Fences - Numerous vendors. They need to be 8 to 10 high and strong.

Rabbits and Other Rodents

• In the spring, rabbits enjoy eating hostas, especially the fresh leaves and sometimes bite off flower scapes. Squirrels frequently aren't classified as hosta pests but don't mind eating hosta leaves during a drought, and sometimes dig up plants. Voles occasionally have been caughteating hosta roots, a heavy infestation of voles may kill plants. Wire cages made of hardware cloth encircling the hosta roots may deter these hosta pests.
• Voles and field mice can be a problem for hostas and other plants. They burrow under the roots and eat not only the fibrous roots but the basal plate as well. Generally, this damage is performed in the winter when the plants are dormant. Most of the plants damaged in this way will live but will be reduced in size. If you dig the plant and examine the roots you can tell if voles have been at work. The lack of roots will be obvious and the rodent's teeth marks on the basal plate of the hosta will often be visible.
• Possible Solutions:
  • For Rabbits and Rodents
  • Critter-Repellent
    Granular repellent containing fox scent.
  • A cat, like Tom Carlson's, can keep rodents out!
    
    

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